Botox already opened, safe practice?

Question

Hi,I just went to a place that administered botox from a bottle/vile that was already opened. The lady used 4 different needles to suck botox from an already opened vile. I presume she was using 4 needles, so she wasn't double dipping into the bottle? She told me she likes using several needles because they dull after each area. I've never seen this done before nor have I noticed the bottle already opened and half used before, maybe I just never noticed. Does this seem normal and safe?

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

This can depend on the size of the vial. Each Doctor will have their preferred method regarding needles, but as long as they are sterile, this is fine. If you have any concerns, I recommend following up with your injector. Best, Dr. Emer

Jennifer Boll, MD · Answer

Most Botox vials are either 50 or 100 units and so it is not uncommon to use the same vial for more than one patient. I always use a different syringe to draw up the Botox from the one I use to inject it. I use a 33g needle to inject which is very small. It would be dull and more painful if I also used that needle to inject. I also use different syringe and needle for each different area that I inject as I sometimes use different concentrations of Botox in different areas.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

To maintain sterility, only a sterile needle and a sterile syringe should be used on a botox vial from multiuse draw.  This is the only way to avoid contamination.  If you are describing someone who is changing needles on a syringe already used to inject you and then entering the botox vial, this is not sterile technique and will result in cross contamination.  Don't use offices that cut corners on your safety.

Monika Soni, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Most Botox vials are either 50 or 100 units therefore it is not uncommon to use the same vial for more than one patient. However, the top of the vial should be sterilized with alcohol and change needles for each syringe. It is common to use a different needle for withdrawing the Botox than for injecting. If you have any concerns please discuss with your injector. Best of Luck!

Anthony J. Wilson, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. In states where single use of a vial is not mandatory practitioners often use one vial to treat multiple patients. This allows for you to pay a unit cost rather than purchase an entire vial which would make your treatment potentially much more expensive. So long as the practitioner is using new needles and the botox is stored properly there should not be any issues.

Botox already opened, safe practice?

Answers (10)

Answer: Most Botox vials are either 50 or 100 units therefore it is not uncommon to use the same vial for more than one patient.

Answer: Most Botox vials are either 50 or 100 units therefore it is not uncommon to use the same vial for more than one patient.

Answer: Already opened, safe common practice

Answer: Already opened, safe common practice

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Botox already opened, safe practice?

Answers (10)

Answer: Most Botox vials are either 50 or 100 units therefore it is not uncommon to use the same vial for more than one patient.

Answer: Most Botox vials are either 50 or 100 units therefore it is not uncommon to use the same vial for more than one patient.

Answer: Already opened, safe common practice

Answer: Already opened, safe common practice

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Botox

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.