What happens to the leftover Botox?

Question

I've been seeing a neurologist for Botox for migraines. He orders 300 units from my pharmacy and injects 150. What happens to the rest? He never lets me use it the next time and whenever I ask questions, no one ever gets back to me. Is this a standard practice? I pay about $240 per every 100 units, and that's after insurance... that's over $700 to the specialty pharmacy. I'd sure not like to be spending more than I have to when it's so costly.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

What is done with the remaining Botox is a question only your doctor can answer.  Once reconstituted the product can be used for up to 24 hours, longer in some situations if stored properly. Your should only be charged for the units that were injected.

Sherly Soleiman, MD · Answer

Every Botox vial has a lot number.  Doctors are to keep an accurate log of which botox/lot number was used on each patient.  If a problem arises and the medical records are audited, the Botox vial numbers/lot numbers better match up, otherwise the physician can face a lot of legal consequences and problems.  I personally don't think it's worth the risk for anyone to try to cheat the system.  The insurance companies expect the unused Botox units to be discarded; if used on other patients, it's considered a form of stealing.  I hope your physician is more careful and ethical than to do that.

Marla M. Klein, MD · Answer

Namebrand BOTOX comes in either 50 U vials or 100 U vials.  It is a very expensive drug for doctors to buy, since it typically costs about $530 for a 100 U vial.   Because of the cost of BOTOX, it is typically never thrown away since it has many uses and can be refrigerated and will keep at least a week.  You pose a very interesting question.

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What happens to the leftover Botox?

Answers (3)

BOTOX FOR MIGRAINES PROVIDERS NEAR YOU