BOTULINUM TOXIN SIDE EFFECTS - Botulinum toxin

Botulinum toxin injections are relatively safe if performed by an experienced doctor. As with all aesthetic treatments, side effects can occur.

Possible side effects include:

pain
swelling
bruising
headache or flu-like symptoms
drooping eyelids
asymmetrical smile
dry eyes or excessive watering

Although very unlikely, the effect of the botulinum toxin may spread to other parts of the body and cause symptoms similar to those of botulism.

If you notice the following symptoms after a few hours or weeks after treatment you should call your doctor immediately:

muscle weakness throughout the body
impaired eyesight
difficulty speaking or swallowing
breathing difficulties
loss of bladder control

Doctors generally recommend not to use botulinum toxin during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Botulinum toxin side effects. Choose your doctor carefully

Botulinum toxin should only be used under medical supervision. It is important that the injections are performed exactly where it was decided to inject the botulinum toxin to avoid side effects.
Botulinum toxin can be dangerous if administered incorrectly. You should seek a doctor who is specialised and experienced in the administration of botulinum toxin treatments.
An experienced qualified doctor will be able to advise and help you determine whether it best suits your needs and personal health.

Botulinum toxin side effects: what is it?

Botulinum toxin is the bacteria that causes botulism. Botulinum toxin blocks nerve activity in the muscles, causing a temporary reduction in muscle activity.
Botulinum toxin is used in both medicine and aesthetic medicine in the treatment of:

cervical dystonia (severe neck muscle spasms)
muscle spasms (stiffness) of the upper limbs (elbows, wrists, fingers) or lower limbs (ankles, toes)
severe underarm sweating (hyperhidrosis)
muscular pathologies of the eye caused by nervous disorders
strabismus
overactive bladder and incontinence (loss of urine) caused by nervous disorders such as spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis
chronic migraine in adults who have migraines for more than 15 days a month, lasting 4 hours or more at a time. This medication should not be used for the treatment of a common tension-type headache.
facial wrinkles

Botulinum toxin side effects: what to know

What do you need to know before you undergo treatment?

It should not be used in case of infection in the area where the medicine will be injected.
it should not be used to treat an overactive bladder or incontinence if a bladder infection is present or if you are unable to urinate (unless a catheter is used routinely)
The botulinum toxin used in beauty treatments can also spread to other areas of the body beyond where it was injected. This has caused and may cause serious life-threatening side effects in some people who undergo treatment with botulinum toxin injections, including for aesthetic purposes.

You should call your doctor in case of the following:

hoarse voice
drooping eyelids
impaired eyesight
severe muscle weakness
loss of bladder control
trouble breathing, talking or swallowing

Some of these effects may occur up to several hours or several weeks after treatment with botulinum toxin.

Botulinum toxin side effects: before treatment

What should you know before treatment? Here is the most important information.

You should not undergo treatment if:

you are allergic to botulinum toxin
you have an infection in the area where the drug is to be administered
if you have a bladder infection (overactive bladder and incontinence)
if you are unable to urinate and do not habitually use a catheter.

To make sure your treatment is safe you should always tell your doctor if you have:

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
myasthenia gravis
Lambert-Eaton syndrome
a breathing disorder such as asthma or emphysema
difficulty swallowing
facial muscle weakness (drooping eyelids, weak forehead, difficulty raising eyebrows)
a change in the normal appearance of the face
bleeding disorders
heart disease
if you have undergone or have to undergo surgery (particularly on the face)
if you have recently taken an anticoagulant or been treated with an injectable antibiotic
if you have had other injections of botulinum toxin recently
if there have been any side effects after treatment with botulinum toxin in the past

Botulinum toxin may be present in the blood, so if you donate plasma you should inform your doctor because it may contain the virus and other infectious agents. Donated plasma is tested and treated to reduce the risk of infectious agents, but there is still a small possibility that the disease could be transmitted.

You should always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this treatment.

There is no known harm to the foetus, but you should always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant while using this medication. Botulinum toxin can pass into breast milk and can damage the health of the newborn baby. You should also inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

Botulinum toxin side effects: What to avoid?
Botulinum toxin may affect your vision or depth perception.
Care should be taken when driving or other activities where vision is required.

Avoid using underarm antiperspirants or deodorants for 24 hours after treatment for excessive underarm sweating.
Avoid resuming normal physical activities too quickly.

Botulinum toxin side effects: pay attention to symptoms

You should seek emergency medical assistance in the presence of an allergic reaction:

hives
difficulty breathing
feeling faint
swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat

Side effects after injection include:

unusual or severe muscle weakness
trouble breathing, speaking or swallowing
hoarse voice
drooping eyelids
loss of bladder control
eyes: swelling of the eyelids, formation of scabs or damage to eye drainage, impaired vision
pain or burning when urinating, poor or no urination
chest pain, irregular heartbeat

Common side effects may include:

difficulty swallowing for several months after treatment
muscle weakness near where the drug was injected
bruising, bleeding, pain, redness or swelling in the area where the injection was administered
headache, tiredness, muscle stiffness, neck or back pain, pain in the arms or legs
dry mouth
blurred vision
increased sweating in areas other than armpits
cold symptoms such as blocked nose, sneezing, coughing, sore throat, flu-like symptoms

The list could go on because other side effects of botulinum toxin may occur. You should always call your doctor for advice on side effects.

Botulinum toxin side effects: What other medicines may influence its effectiveness?

Other medications can increase the side effects of botulinum toxin, in particular:

cold medicine
anti-allergy medicine
muscle relaxants
sleeping pills
bronchodilators
medicines for the bladder or urinary tract
irritable bowel syndrome medicine

You should always inform your doctor about any medication you are taking or if you have taken them.
In addition to medications, some products on the market may also interact with botulinum toxin including:

nutritional supplements
vitamins
herbal products

Botulinum toxin side effects: development of antibodies Antibodies that inactivate the effects of botulinum toxin could develop:

due to the use of high doses
due to repeated treatments within a short period of time

Botulinum toxin side effects: common, rare and minor side effects

In addition to the effects which are desired as part of the treatment, there can also be certain side effects caused by botulinum toxin, as mentioned above. If any of these side effects occur, you should seek medical attention immediately.
If any of the following side effects occur, you should consult your doctor immediately:

Most common:

difficulty swallowing

Rare:

difficulty breathing or speaking
muscle weakness
blepharospasm
dry eyes
inability to completely close your eyelids
urinary incontinence caused by an overactive bladder
bladder pain
blood in urine
burning sensation or pain when urinating
frequent need to urinate
lower back pain
flashes of light in the eyes
irritation of the cornea
swelling of the eyelids

Minor side effects Some side effects may not require medical attention.
Some side effects are temporary and will go away with time.
Your doctor can give you all the information you need to reduce or prevent some of these side effects. If any of the following side effects:

continue
if you feel any discomfort
if you have any questions

you should call your doctor immediately:

blue or purple bruising on your eyelids
lowering of the upper eyelids
irritation or eyes watering
sensitivity of the eyes to light
muscle aches or pains
shivers
cough, fever, sneezing, sore throat
ear congestion
headache
loss of voice
blocked nose
neck pain
runny nose
unusual tiredness or weakness
neck pain
muscle aches or pains
shivers
congestion
cough
diarrhoea
dry or sore throat
fear
fever
general feeling of discomfort
flu-like symptoms
headache
heavy bleeding from the injection site
itchy skin
joint pain
loss of appetite
nausea
nervousness
painful or difficulty urinating
runny nose
trembling
sweating
swelling of the neck glands
trouble sleeping
trouble swallowing
hoarse voice
vomiting
drooping of the upper eyelid
eye pointing up or down instead of straight
arm pain
Less common or rare for blepharospasm
rash
swelling of eyelids
bleeding, blisters, burning, cold sensation, skin discoloration, feeling of pressure, hives, infections, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rashes, redness, scars, pain, burning, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or heat at the injection site
blurred vision
muscle aches or pains
coughing up mucus
difficulty breathing
dizziness
drooping of the upper eyelid
headache
muscle aches and pains
nervousness
pounding in the ears
slow or fast heartbeat
chest tightness
difficulty finding the position of objects
double vision
back pain
muscle aches or pains
shivers
cough
difficulty breathing
ear congestion
fever
headache
loss of voice
blocked nose
sneezing
sore throat
unusual tiredness or weakness
coughing up mucus
difficulty breathing
muscle weakness
nausea
chest tightness
weakness

botulinum toxin remains among the most widely used anti-wrinkle treatments.