Can Dysport Make Me Sick? Understanding the Side Effects and Risks

October 11, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the FDA, all botulinum toxin products, including Dysport, carry a 'black box' warning about the potential for the toxin's effects to spread beyond the injection site. In light of this, it is valid to ask, "Can Dysport make me sick?", as while rare, serious systemic issues and more common, mild side effects are possible.

Quick Summary

Dysport can cause mild, temporary side effects like nausea, headache, and flu-like symptoms, but also carries the rare risk of a severe systemic reaction if the toxin spreads. The risk of side effects is reduced by seeking a qualified provider and following all aftercare instructions.

Key Points

Mild and Common Side Effects: Nausea, headache, flu-like symptoms, and injection site reactions like swelling and bruising are common but usually temporary.
Serious Risk of Toxin Spread: Dysport carries a black box warning for the rare but serious risk of the toxin spreading beyond the injection site, which can cause botulism-like symptoms.
Severe Systemic Symptoms: A spreading toxin can lead to generalized muscle weakness, difficulty breathing and swallowing, vision problems, and loss of bladder control, potentially hours or weeks after injection.
Allergic Reactions: Individuals with a cow's milk protein allergy are at risk for a serious allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis.
Risk Reduction: Choosing a skilled, licensed injector, disclosing all medical conditions, and following aftercare guidelines are critical to minimizing risks.
Immediate Medical Attention: Seek immediate help if you experience signs of systemic spread or a severe allergic reaction after your Dysport treatment.

Common Side Effects of Dysport

While serious complications are rare, it's important to be aware of the more common, generally mild side effects associated with Dysport injections. Many of these are localized to the injection site and temporary.

Injection Site Reactions

The most frequent reactions include pain, swelling, redness, and potential bruising at the injection site. Applying a cold compress can help, and avoiding alcohol and blood thinners before treatment may reduce bruising.

Systemic Side Effects

Some individuals may experience mild systemic effects that cause a general feeling of being unwell. These can include headache, nausea, and flu-like symptoms such as body aches and fatigue. These symptoms are typically temporary.

Other Minor Side Effects

Less common side effects include a temporary droopy eyelid (ptosis) if the Dysport spreads to unintended muscles, which can be minimized by choosing an experienced injector. Dry eyes when treating frown lines and dry mouth are also possible but uncommon.

Serious Risks and Systemic Illness from Dysport

The most significant risk with Dysport is the potential spread of the botulinum toxin beyond the injection site, which can lead to botulism-like symptoms. This is why the FDA has issued a black box warning for botulinum toxin products. While rare in cosmetic use, this serious complication requires immediate medical attention.

Symptoms of Systemic Spread (Botulism-like Effects)

Symptoms can appear hours to weeks after injection and may include generalized muscle weakness, vision problems (double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids), breathing and swallowing difficulties, speech problems, and loss of bladder control.

Severe Allergic Reactions

Dysport contains cow's milk protein, which can cause a severe allergic reaction in sensitive individuals. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction include hives, severe rash, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, wheezing, and dizziness.

Minimizing Your Risk of Side Effects

To minimize potential side effects, take precautions before and after your Dysport injections.

Before Your Treatment

Choose a qualified provider: Select an experienced and licensed healthcare professional.
Disclose medical history: Share any neuromuscular disorders, allergies (especially to cow's milk protein), or bleeding issues.
Avoid certain medications and alcohol: For 24-48 hours before treatment, avoid blood thinners like aspirin and ibuprofen, as well as alcohol, to reduce bruising.

After Your Treatment

Stay upright: Remain upright for at least four hours.
Avoid rubbing: Do not massage the injection sites.
Limit activity: Avoid strenuous exercise for 24-48 hours.

Dysport vs. Botox: A Comparison of Potential Side Effects

Dysport and Botox are both botulinum toxin products with similar side effect profiles. Key differences relate to their formulation and how they spread.


Feature	Dysport	Botox
Onset of Action	Typically faster (2-3 days)	Slightly slower (up to 1 week)
Diffusion	Tends to spread slightly more	Stays more localized
Common Side Effects	Headache, nausea, fatigue, injection site reactions	Headache, fatigue, injection site reactions
Serious Side Effects	Risk of toxin spread and severe allergic reaction	Risk of toxin spread and severe allergic reaction

Conclusion: Navigating Dysport with Caution

Can Dysport make me sick? Yes, both mild and, rarely, severe reactions are possible. While common side effects are temporary and localized, the risk of systemic illness from toxin spread is a serious concern. A safe experience depends on selecting a qualified medical professional, providing a complete medical history, and following pre- and post-treatment instructions. Being aware of the signs of a serious adverse reaction and seeking immediate medical help is crucial. Understanding these risks allows for informed decisions and safer outcomes. For further information, consult reliable sources like the official manufacturer website or resources like Drugs.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, some people experience temporary flu-like symptoms such as headache, muscle aches, and fatigue after a Dysport injection. These are generally mild and resolve on their own within a few days.

Mild nausea can be a side effect, though it is less common than headache or injection site reactions. If it persists or is severe, you should contact your healthcare provider.

The black box warning is the FDA's most serious warning and is on all botulinum toxin products, including Dysport. It alerts patients to the risk of the toxin spreading from the injection site and causing serious botulism-like symptoms, such as difficulty breathing and swallowing.

Mild side effects are typically localized to the injection site or feel like a mild cold and resolve quickly. Serious reactions, like toxin spread, involve systemic issues like widespread muscle weakness, vision changes, or difficulty breathing and swallowing, and require immediate medical attention.

There are no reported long-term or permanent side effects associated with Dysport use when administered correctly. However, the rare but serious effects from toxin spread could have lasting consequences if not treated immediately.

Dysport should be avoided by individuals with an allergy to botulinum toxin or cow's milk protein, those with a skin infection at the injection site, or patients with certain pre-existing neuromuscular disorders like myasthenia gravis.

Some studies suggest Dysport may take effect faster, but Botox may last slightly longer. The duration of results can vary between individuals and depends on the treated area.