I stored botox in a coolerbox with 5 icepacks at 09:00 in the morning.The following day at 14:00 I realised that I had forgotten to refrigeate it. Can it still be used, or is it now expired?
Will Botox Expire if Left Unchilled for 24 Hours?
Doctor Answers 12
We have used Botox onstage on my partner Drew Ordon's show, The Doctors. We go through great pains to keep it cold but one time it was left out in our office overnight. Unsure if it would work, we tried it out on our staff members. It worked perfectly. We had very happy staff after that!
If you are a physician, I would suggest contacting Allergan directly as they will be able to assist you. Best of luck!
If your botox vials were not reconstituted there might be less of a concern to have been left in the cooler, but if it was diluted already and then left out, it could potentially increase the risk of bacterial growth. If you are a licensed injector, then you should be able to contact Allergan and ask their scientific division your question. They may have privileged information that is not available on line.
Web reference: http://www.thenyac.com/botox/index.html
You might also like...
Botox Pictures
Photos from the community
I agree with the other docs in regards to bacteriostasis. Trial and error will safely tell if it's effective, and keep note of those patients who get this Botox to offer them retreatment if less effective than usual, but I would have a much lower threshold for the time I'd be willing to use a reconstituted vial before tossing. And I agree about using bacteriostatic saline especially in this case.
As long as the Botox was not exposed to heat it should be fine. If you are not satisfied with results after using this Botox, do supplemental injections on those patients.
The rules for botox storage are unclear. After reconstitution botox can remain in a refrigerator for a month or more. Our experience is that botox may be left a room temperature for 8 hours and still be effective.
This has happened to me with a power outage, and the neurotoxin still worked. If it does not, let the patients know that they may need further injection (comped of course)
It is best to keep Botox refrigerated, but leaving it out of the refrigerator, especially since it was cooled part of the time, for one day should not affect its potency.
As a practical matter, we have learned over the past 20 years that BOTOX® is a very stable formulation of BTX-A, and appears to retain full potency for at least several weeks at room temperature after reconstitution using Hospira brand normal saline with 0.9% benzyl alcohol preservative [pH ~5.0].
The fact that BOTOX® [uniquely among the BTX-A formulations commecially available in North America] has a full complement of protective proteins may contribute to its stability, in particular when reconstituted at a low pH.
Having said that, best practice is to keep all BTX-A formulations, including BOTOX®, refrigerated after reconstitution.
I had a power outage and the Botox was not kept cold for 24 hours but still worked fine. I also always use bacteriostatic saline to reconstitute Botox. Make sure you follow up with the patient to see that it worked.
Web reference: http://www.dorsetstreetdermatology.com/cosmetic-dermatology/botox-dysport/
These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.
You might also like...
Related Content
If a Vial of Unmixed Botox is Left at Room Temperature (Not...
9 doctor answers
Why is the Bottom of my Nose Twisted? (photo)
3 doctor answers
Bulbous and lacking definition: Do I Need a Nose Job? (photo)
11 doctor answers
What's achievable with a broken, twisted and bulbous nose? (photos)
3 doctor answers
Ask a Doctor
Get personalized answers from board-certified doctors. For free.
