BOTOX® News
Allergan, Inc., is pleased to announce the 4 winners of the BOTOX® Dreams campaign, a national health education and philanthropic initiative established to recognize people who are successfully overcoming some of the challenges of cervical dystonia.

Based on the 4 winners' essays in which they described their struggles with cervical dystonia and their desire to fulfill a community-based philanthropic dream, Allergan has provided a $10,000 grant to an organization of their choosing in their local community. Meet the winners and read about their experience with BOTOX®:

Gloria Brunner, from Hugo, MN

Based on Ms. Brunner's winning essay, Allergan has provided a $10,000 grant to the Hugo Volunteer Fire Department.

Brunner says, "Cervical dystonia is a debilitating condition which sometimes made it difficult for me to enjoy certain activities in my daily routine. I had been living with painful contractions in my neck for many years before I was finally diagnosed with cervical dystonia. My doctor referred me to a wonderful physiatrist…who suggested treatment with BOTOX®. Following BOTOX® treatment and physical therapy, I am now able to drive a car again, and most importantly, I am now able to get down on the floor and play with my 4 grandchildren, which was difficult for me prior to the treatment. Now, I am very grateful to have this opportunity to give back to the Hugo Volunteer Fire Department, whose volunteers have given so much to the residents of the city of Hugo."

Linda Furiate, from Columbia, MD

Based on Ms. Furiate's winning essay, Allergan has provided a $10,000 grant to Bethesda Naval Hospital.

Furiate says, "Cervical dystonia is a debilitating condition that made it difficult for me to perform certain activities in my daily life. I have been living with cervical dystonia since 1995. For a long time I could not find a treatment that worked. But I finally found a neurologist who suggested treatment with BOTOX®, and with BOTOX® and exercise I've been able to enjoy some of the activities that I could not enjoy prior to the treatment. Now I am very grateful to have this opportunity to help wounded veterans of the Iraq War in their daily struggle with pain and disability."

Patsy Rieley, from Bedford, VA

Based on Ms. Rieley's winning essay, Allergan has provided a $10,000 grant to Longwood Industries, Inc., an organization that assists Bedford residents who are disabled or economically disadvantaged find and secure employment.

Rieley says, "Cervical dystonia is a painful condition that made it difficult for me to perform simple tasks that I used to take for granted, such as putting on makeup and styling my hair. I have been living with cervical dystonia since 1990 and for a long time I could not find a treatment that worked for me. Finally, I found a neurologist who suggested treatment with BOTOX®, and along with an exercise regimen, I've been able to enjoy some of the activities that I couldn't enjoy before my treatment—such as playing with my dog, driving to visit my daughter, and volunteering. Now, I am very grateful to have this opportunity to help those who are struggling."

Tiffany Sparks-Keeney, from Bellevue, WA

Based on Ms. Sparks-Keeney's winning essay, Allergan has provided a $10,000 grant to the Children's Institute for Learning Differences (CHILD) School, which helps children with complex behavior and learning problems achieve success.

Sparks-Keeney says, "Cervical dystonia is a debilitating condition that made it difficult for me to perform certain activities in my daily life. I visited doctors from 8 different specialties over the course of a year before finally being diagnosed with cervical dystonia. I was referred to a physician who recommended treatment with BOTOX®, which has helped alleviate the neck pain associated with CD and also allowed me to focus on the things that are important in my life. Now, I am very grateful to have this opportunity to help the CHILD School build a new outdoor play structure, so that the children there can interact with each other in a wholesome, creative, and imaginative way."

Indications
BOTOX® is a prescription medicine that is injected into muscles and used:

  • to treat increased muscle stiffness in elbow, wrist, and finger muscles with upper limb spasticity in people 18 years and older
  • to treat the abnormal head position and neck pain that happens with cervical dystonia (CD) in people 16 years and older
  • to treat certain types of eye muscle problems (strabismus) or abnormal spasm of the eyelids (blepharospasm) in people 12 years and older

BOTOX® is also injected into the skin to treat the symptoms of severe underarm sweating (severe primary axillary hyperhidrosis) when medicines used on the skin (topical) do not work well enough in people 18 years and older.

It is not known whether BOTOX® is safe or effective for other types of muscle spasms or for severe sweating anywhere other than your armpits.

BOTOX® Cosmetic is a prescription medicine that is injected into muscles and used to improve the look of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines) in people 18 to 65 years of age for a short period of time (temporary).

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
BOTOX® and BOTOX® Cosmetic may cause serious side effects that can be life threatening. Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of these problems any time (hours to weeks) after injection of BOTOX® or BOTOX® Cosmetic:

  • Problems swallowing, speaking, or breathing, due to weakening of associated muscles, can be severe and result in loss of life. You are at the highest risk if these problems are pre-existing before injection. Swallowing problems may last for several months
  • Spread of toxin effects. The effect of botulinum toxin may affect areas away from the injection site and cause serious symptoms including: loss of strength and all-over muscle weakness, double vision, blurred vision and drooping eyelids, hoarseness or change or loss of voice (dysphonia), trouble saying words clearly (dysarthria), loss of bladder control, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing

There has not been a confirmed serious case of spread of toxin effect away from the injection site when BOTOX® has been used at the recommended dose to treat severe underarm sweating, blepharospasm, or strabismus, or when BOTOX® Cosmetic has been used at the recommended dose to treat frown lines.

The dose of BOTOX® is not the same as, or comparable to, another botulinum toxin product.

Serious and or immediate allergic reactions have been reported. These reactions include itchy rash, swelling, and shortness of breath. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you experience any such symptoms; further injection of BOTOX® or BOTOX® Cosmetic should be discontinued.

Do not take BOTOX® or BOTOX® Cosmetic if you: are allergic to any of the ingredients in BOTOX® or BOTOX® Cosmetic (see Medication Guide for ingredients); had an allergic reaction to any other botulinum toxin product such as Myobloc® or Dysport®; have a skin infection at the planned injection site.

Tell your doctor about all your muscle or nerve conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease], myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome, as you may be at increased risk of serious side effects including severe dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and respiratory compromise (difficulty breathing) from typical doses of BOTOX® or BOTOX® Cosmetic.

Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you have: plans to have surgery; had surgery on your face; weakness of forehead muscles, such as trouble raising your eyebrows; drooping eyelids; any other abnormal facial change; are pregnant or plan to become pregnant (it is not known if BOTOX® or BOTOX® Cosmetic can harm your unborn baby); are breast-feeding or plan to breastfeed (it is not known if BOTOX® or BOTOX® Cosmetic passes into breast milk).

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

BOTOX® and BOTOX® Cosmetic may cause loss of strength or general muscle weakness, or vision problems. If this happens, do not drive a car, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities.

Other side effects of BOTOX® and BOTOX® Cosmetic include: dry mouth, discomfort or pain at the injection site, tiredness, headache, neck pain, and eye problems: double vision, blurred vision, decreased eyesight, drooping eyelids, swelling of your eyelids, and dry eyes.

For more information refer to the Medication Guide or talk with your doctor.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see full Product Information, including Medication Guide about BOTOX®.

Please see full Product Information, including Medication Guide about BOTOX® Cosmetic.

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Please see full Product Information, including Medication Guide about BOTOX®.

Please see full Product Information, including Medication Guide about BOTOX® Cosmetic.

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