Prescription drug · Used for wrinkles, migraine and muscle spasms

Botox side effects

onabotulinumtoxinA

This side effect is printed on the FDA label for Botox. It was a question in our daily quiz, where you pick the real side effect from four choices.

Trouble swallowing and breathing, up to weeks after a shot

It's a boxed warning: the toxin can spread beyond where it was injected.

From the FDA label

“These symptoms have been reported hours to weeks after injection. Swallowing and breathing difficulties can be life threatening and there have been reports of death.”

Botox label, updated Feb 2, 2026 · Read the full label on DailyMed

What to watch for

Get medical help right away for trouble swallowing, speaking or breathing after an injection, even weeks later.

2,011 reports to the FDA's adverse event system mention trouble swallowing or botulism. A report is not proof the drug caused it. See the query

From quiz No. 9 · October 3, 2026 · Play that quiz →

Play today's quiz →

More from the drug guide

Drug guide · About · Privacy · Terms · Contact
Not medical advice. Don't stop or start a medication because of a quiz. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Label text and report counts from openFDA. Not affiliated with any drug maker.