Can Botox cause neurological symptoms?

Author: Prof. Ron Oberbrunner  |  Last update: Monday, March 31, 2025

FDA has reported adverse events after BoNT injection affecting nervous system far from initial site of injection such as speech disorder, nystagmus, restless leg syndrome, and even coma. Central nervous system involvement included 23.5% of serious and 24.9% of non-serious events (1).

What are the neurological side effects of Botox?

When To Call the Doctor
  • Vision problems, including blurred vision or drooping eyelids.
  • Signs of urinary tract infection, such as blood in your urine (hematuria).
  • Shortness of breath (dyspnea).
  • Trouble swallowing.
  • Slurred speech.
  • Numbness or paralysis in an untreated area.
  • Severe stomach upset.

Can Botox cause nerve damage in the body?

Botox is injected directly into the muscles and does not typically come into contact with the nerves. However, in rare cases, the needle used to inject the Botox can cause nerve damage. This type of nerve damage is called peripheral nerve damage and can cause pain, numbness, or weakness in the affected area.

What is the biggest risk of Botox?

Serious adverse effects after cosmetic use of botulinum toxin include dysphagia, muscle weakness, and allergic reactions [22, 23].

Can Botox cause systemic side effects?

While most side effects are mild, systemic effects, manifested by generalized weakness distant from the site of injection, have been reported.

How Botox affects our brain

Does Botox mess with your nervous system?

FDA has reported adverse events after BoNT injection affecting nervous system far from initial site of injection such as speech disorder, nystagmus, restless leg syndrome, and even coma. Central nervous system involvement included 23.5% of serious and 24.9% of non-serious events (1).

What are the worst side effects of Botox?

Call your health care provider right away if you have any of these symptoms hours or weeks after your procedure:
  • Muscle weakness.
  • Vision problems.
  • Trouble talking or swallowing.
  • Breathing problems.
  • Allergic reaction.
  • Loss of bladder control.

What happens after 20 years of Botox?

Muscle Atrophy and Adaptation: After long-term Botox use, some facial muscles may experience mild atrophy due to limited activity. This can actually benefit patients who prefer a smoother look, as muscle activity that causes wrinkles is minimized.

What diseases can Botox cause?

Botulism is a rare and sometimes fatal illness caused by botulinum toxin. Initial botulism symptoms may include double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, and difficulty breathing.

What is the best alternative to Botox?

Below are 10 alternatives to BOTOX® that might help if you're seeking smoother or firmer skin on your face.
  • Cosmetic Acupuncture. ...
  • Microneedling. ...
  • Chemical Peels. ...
  • Laser Therapy. ...
  • Cryotherapy. ...
  • Facial Creams. ...
  • Neuropeptides. ...
  • Face Patches.

How do you know if Botox hit your nerves?

Signs of nerve damage after fillers

Delivering stringent aftercare is also key, so your patient knows what signs to look out for and who to contact. Dr Lindsay informs, “Often a patient with a nerve injury will initially report a sharp electric shooting, burning, itching, tingling or a pins and needles sensation.

Can Botox damage the vagus nerve?

If the botulin toxin affects the obliquus capitis inferior muscle, the muscle that helps stabilize the C2, that vertebrae will rotate out of its natural position and can compress the vagus nerve and it can cause a pinching of the C2 nerve root which turns into the occipital nerve and give you occipital neuralgia.

Can Botox cause brain fog?

UCL researchers have found that 80 per cent of Botox users suffer from side effects including headaches, dizziness, and brain fog.

Can Botox cause neuropathy?

Botulinum toxin-induced neuropathy is a rare and vision-threatening complication of BTA. In patients with recent injection of BTA who present with visual complaints, botulinum toxin-induced neuropathy should be considered.

Can Botox affect memory?

Studies have revealed that botulinum toxin can also affect the CNS (Galazka et al., 2015) It has reported that Botox B administration resulted in memory malfunction and long-term decline of LTP formation in aged rats (Ando et al., 2002), and also intracerebroventricular (ICV) injections of Botox A and Botox B in mice ...

What are the symptoms of Botox toxicity?

Among all 22 people, symptoms began a median of 3 days after exposure (range 0 to 20 days) and included symptoms near the injection site (e.g., blurred vision and ptosis after facial injection), dry mouth, slurred speech, shortness of breath, fatigue, and generalized weakness.

What conditions should not get Botox?

If you are in poor general health, your skin is very thick or you have existing muscle weakness in the proposed injection site, you may not be a good candidate for Botox. Patients with sensitive skin may experience an allergic reaction at the injection site.

Do you age faster after stopping Botox?

No. Even after you stop using BOTOX, you will still look younger than you would have if you had never been injected. One study of twins found long-term BOTOX use led to fewer and less severe wrinkles in the long run, effectively slowing the aging process.

What is a pillow face?

“Pillow face” occurs when too much filler is injected into areas like the cheeks, nasolabial folds (the lines from your nose to the corners of your mouth), lips, and under-eye area. This repeated overfilling can result in a bloated, round appearance that looks far from natural.

What do celebrities use instead of Botox?

Celebrities often pick alternatives like Dysport, Xeomin, and Juvederm. These fillers add volume or reduce wrinkles differently than Botox. They're popular for their varying effects and durations.

Does Botox affect you later in life?

Long-term effects

A 2022 review study found that people who regularly received Botox injections showed changes in their muscle composition, function, and appearance up to four years after their last injection. "If you didn't use your abs [abdominal muscles] for 10 years, they would waste away," says Mosahebi.

Can Botox cause thyroid problems?

Because Botox is a neurotoxin derived from a harmful bacterium, your thyroid may be affected by the use of this product. When your body is triggered, your thyroid symptoms can worsen, often called a flare-up.

Can Botox cause dizziness and vertigo?

Yes, dizziness can be a side effect of Botox®, although it is very rare. If you experience dizziness after having Botox® injections, speak to your practitioner immediately.

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