Is botulinum toxin harmful? does dose matter?

FDA approved: Botulinum toxin is not harmful when used as recommended. Botox, Botox cosmetic, dysport, xeomin, (incobotulinumtoxin a) Myobloc (botulinum toxin b) are examples of botulinum products that are fda approved and have been used worldwide in many millions of people with few significant ill-effects. Dosing does matter. More is not better.

Botox safe: Botox is safe in cosmetic doses. Complications are uncommon, temporary and related to high dose treatment. I hope this information is helpful. Stephen weber, M.D. Lone tree facial plastic surgeon.

Yes, but…: Very deadly if in poisoning, untreated: mortality 60% from respiratory failure, treated with intensive support: mortality <7%. Botulinum toxin does have important medical uses so if used correctly by a trained physician it has great benefits.

It is very safe: In therapeutic doses, neurotoxins are very safe, especially for cosmetic treatments. Serious and even fatal side effects have been seen only in very rare situations where patients received very large does of Botox for the treatment of large muscle spasticity. If you are getting a cosmetic treatment, i would refrain from total dosages greater than 100 units for Botox and 200 units for dysport.

Context isimportant!: Modern households rarely eat from foods that are home-canned bacteria arising from unkilled spores resulting in large amounts of toxin being produced, causing botulism. This is why we avoid eating from puffed-up cans of vegetables... Dose absolutely matters since this is why, in very small amounts, botulinum toxin can be used safely as a injection into the skin to lessen wrinkles and over-sweating.