If One Unit of Botox is Derived from a Lethal Mouse Dose How Many Units Would Kill a Human?

Question

I am thinking of gettting Botox for the first time and have been doing some research on the potential side effects. I have not been able to find clarification on this topic and would appreciate your feedback as it would ease my mind. Thank you!

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

the number of units of Botulinum toxin used to treat cosmetic indications are a fraction of those used by neurologists for dystrophic muscular cases and there is a high safety factor with those situations. Remember that one can not equate mouse studies with human results, the former are only used as a guide.

Sam Naficy, MD, FACS · Answer

Consulting with a reputable, well-established, and experienced injector will provide you with all the information you need, regarding cosmetic Botox use. Potential side effects after cosmetic Botox injections are headache, localized pain, swelling, bleeding/bruising. Regardless of the number of units that are lethal to a mouse, it shouldn't have any correlation on your potential cosmetic treatment.

Donald B. Yoo, MD, FACS · Answer

Put your mind at ease.  Botox for cosmetic use (type-A) produced by Allergan when administered by a qualified plastic surgeon, has virtually no risk of being lethal.  Side effects are usually mild and include bruising, headaches, and eyelid ptosis.  Find a qualified plastic surgeon, and enjoy looking younger.

Matheson A. Harris, MD · Answer

The mice used to test Botox weigh around 25g or 1/20th of a pound, sometimes less.  The LD50 or dose required to cause death in half of mice injected with Botox is where the unit of Botox is derived.  1 unit kills half of mice injected after 3-4 days.  Transferring this to humans, you'd need around 3000 units to kill an average sized person, or 30 100unit vials.  Since the average cosmetic Botox injection is only around 30-50 units, you have virtually no chance of an adverse event such as death. You are much more likely to have an allergic reaction or not respond at all, both of which are also uncommon.

Benjamin Barankin, MD, FRCPC · Answer

It would be next to impossible to run into problems with using quality cosmetic-grade Botox (e.g. made by Allergan). You would require at minimum 25 full vials of Botox injected in to you to have any problems, and this would never happen unless you had a death-wish.

If One Unit of Botox is Derived from a Lethal Mouse Dose How Many Units Would Kill a Human?

Answers (8)

Answer: Botox safety

Answer: Botox safety

Answer: Excessive Botox

Answer: Excessive Botox

Answer: Botox injections

Answer: Botox injections

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Botox

Answer: Lethal dose of Botox in a human

Answer: Lethal dose of Botox in a human

Answer: How much botox would be dangerous

Answer: How much botox would be dangerous

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If One Unit of Botox is Derived from a Lethal Mouse Dose How Many Units Would Kill a Human?

Answers (8)

Answer: Botox safety

Answer: Botox safety

Answer: Excessive Botox

Answer: Excessive Botox

Answer: Botox injections

Answer: Botox injections

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Botox

Answer: Lethal dose of Botox in a human

Answer: Lethal dose of Botox in a human

Answer: How much botox would be dangerous

Answer: How much botox would be dangerous

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