Was rushed to emergency after Botox injection for frown lines. Now have terrible side effects. How long will they last?

Question

Went in for Botox for frown lines. 25 units. Couple hours later rushed to emergency Throat started to close up. Week later still have terrible side effects. Dizzy nauseous nervousness extreme fatigue What can I do and how long will it last

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

These side effects are extremely rare. I recommend following up with your Doctor for treatment. Botox results resolve in 3-4 months. Best, Dr. Emer

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

I would not recommend getting more botox.  I also would advise against getting any of the cosmetic botulinum toxin products including Xeomin, Dysport, or Myobloc.  If there is a compelling medical reason, an allergist could do detailed testing to determine what in the Botox product you reacted to.  It is possible you responded to the botulinum toxin proteins, or the albumin in the product. In the absence of a medical need to get botox, just avoid these products.  This seems to be a 1 in 500,000 event.

Kurt Kuhlman, DO · Answer

This is extremely unusual. There is a remote chance Botox could do this. A much morel likely answer is that your symptoms are due to anxiety (all of your listed symptoms are seen with anxiety and panic attacks). Your injector should complete an incident report and all of your medical records should be sent to Allergan (the manufacturer of Botox). They take these reports very seriously and will complete a thorough evaluation to help determine the cause.

Ahmed Ali-Khan, FRCS (Plast) · Answer

Hi thank you for your question. Allergic reactions to botulinum toxin are rare but can happen. To be certain what you were allergic to would best be done with an allergy expert (immunologist). There are different preparations of the toxin (Botox is the best known) but poor sterile preparation by the practitioner, dilutant and even the gloves they were wearing (for instance latex) might set off an allergic reaction. One cannot be sure on this site what was responsible in your case.
The drug itself normally wears off after approximately 4 months.
Best wishes.

Thuy Doan, MD · Answer

Since there is no reversal agent for botox, you would have to wait out 3 mths or so until it resolve.  All the best, Dr. Thuy Doan

Sheryl D. Clark, MD, FAAD · Answer

Dear pauline55:
This is an extremely unusual event. A preservative used to dilute the Botox is alctually more likely than the Botox itself, and, of course, you did not provide a complete history but it is even possible that something else was the cause. You will want to consult an allergist as an outpatient and work with your dermatologist and Allergan, the maker of Botox, to tease out exactly what you are allergic to. Anaphylactic reactions often leave people feeling very wiped out. The Botox molecules themselves have been cleared from your body and you should begin to feel better very soon, of not already.
All the best,  Dr, Clark

Leonard Grossman, MD · Answer

Your doctor must be notified as well as the Allergan Corporation. All the information and facts must be gathered and the solution should be provided. Good luck from New York City

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