Is it okay to open up a vial of botox with a bottle opener to get the last drops out?

So long as sterile technique is maintained, the botox doesn't care how it was extracted from the bottle and neither should you. Those last few drops are equally potent. However, if it wasn't done in a sterile fashion, then that would be improper and potentially create a risk for infection.

Thank you for your question in regards to Botox. This is a very common practice that is done by medical professionals who inject Botox. As long as it was performed in a sterile manor, I wouldn't have any concerns. To be sure, see two or more board-certified providers in your area for a complete evaluation to make sure you are a good candidate and that it is safe for you to have treatment. I hope this helps.

As long as it was done in sanitary and sterile conditions by a licensed and certified medical professional, then this is fine to do.

This is common practice. It is very challenging to get the last bit of botox out of the vial, most often people use bottle openers to get it open as long as done in "clean" conditions.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Thank you for your question and I can understand your apprehension.  As long as opening of the vial was done under appropriate sterile conditions this will not affect your results, and will not compromise your safety. Voice your concerns to your injector, they can provide you with greater reassurance. 

When done properly, removal of the top of a Botox vial may be considered for avoiding waste. The necessity is determined by the way your doctor reconstitutes the Botox - if 100u is reconstituted with only 2cc saline, every drop needs to be saved and used. If you get a nice result from your treatment, you should not worry.Hope this helps you.Dr Joseph

Yes, it’s safe to open the Botox vial to get the last few drops out as long as it was done in a clean, sterile manner. It’s routine for practitioners to do this, as Botox is costly and we don’t want to waste it. Always see a board-certified dermatologist to ensure that everything is done in a professional and clean technique.

Hello Connieclc,Yes, opening a neurotoxin bottle such as Botox, Xeomin or Dysport in order to get the last drops for injection, is is normal and accepted by practitioners. Carefully opening the metal rim with a safe opener, such as blunt bandage scissors, discarding the metal rim in a sharps container, then removing the rubber stopper in a sterile fashion is absolutely fine.  I hope this puts you at ease. I encourage all patients to be actively involved in their own care. Voice your concerns to your injector, they will welcome your questions and concerns.

This is done routinely. I have a great device that does it effortlessly and much easier than a can opener. Botox is a very expensive product, so leaving drops in the vial can become costly. This must be done in a clean fashion.

This is a common practice and if it wasn't done at a doctor's office by a doctor then I would be concerned; otherwise, you trusted this doctor to perform your procedure and you have had no complication so there is no reason to worry.