You may have questions about BOTOX
® neurotoxin and its medical uses.
Some of the most common ones are answered on this page. If you would like more information,
talk to your doctor. He or she is the best source of information about your condition
and its treatment. Click the links below to view the answers to common questions
about the following topics:
What are BOTOX® and BOTOX® Cosmetic?
BOTOX® is a prescription medicine that is injected into muscles
and used:
- To treat the abnormal head position and neck pain that happens
with cervical dystonia (CD) in adults
- 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.
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 adults younger than 65 years of age for a short
period of time (temporary).
It is not known whether
BOTOX® is safe or effective in children
younger than:
- 16 years of age for treatment of cervical dystonia
- 18 years of age for treatment of hyperhidrosis
- 12 years of age for treatment of strabismus or blepharospasm
BOTOX® Cosmetic is not recommended for use in children younger
than 18 years of age.
It is not known whether
BOTOX® and
BOTOX® Cosmetic
are safe or effective for other types of muscle spasms or for severe sweating anywhere
other than your armpits.
BOTOX® neurotoxin is given by injection. Only a licensed doctor
can inject
BOTOX®.
What is the most important information I should know about BOTOX®
and BOTOX® Cosmetic?
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 after treatment with BOTOX® or BOTOX®
Cosmetic:
- Problems swallowing, speaking, or breathing. These problems
can happen hours to weeks after an injection of BOTOX® or
BOTOX® Cosmetic usually because the muscles that you use
to breathe and swallow can become weak after the injection. Death can happen as
a complication if you have severe problems with swallowing or breathing after treatment
with BOTOX® or BOTOX® Cosmetic
- People with certain breathing problems may need to use muscles
in their neck to help them breathe. These patients may be at greater risk for serious
breathing problems with BOTOX® or BOTOX® Cosmetic
- Swallowing problems may last for several months. People who
cannot swallow well may need a feeding tube to receive food and water. If swallowing
problems are severe, food or liquids may go into your lungs. People who already
have swallowing or breathing problems before receiving BOTOX®
or BOTOX® Cosmetic have the highest risk of getting these
problems
- Spread of toxin effects. In some cases, the effect
of botulinum toxin may affect areas of the body away from the injection site and
cause symptoms of a serious condition called botulism. The symptoms of botulism
include:
- Loss of strength and muscle weakness all over the body
- 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
Who should not take BOTOX® or BOTOX® Cosmetic?
Do not take
BOTOX® or
BOTOX® Cosmetic
if you:
- Are allergic to any of the ingredients in BOTOX®
or BOTOX® Cosmetic. See the end of the Medication Guide for
a list of ingredients in BOTOX® and BOTOX® Cosmetic
- Had an allergic reaction to any other botulinum toxin product
such as Myobloc® or DysportTM
- Have a skin infection at the planned injection site
How does BOTOX® work?
The signals that cause pain and muscle spasms are sent to the muscles through the
nerves.
BOTOX® blocks the signals that cause muscle spasms
directly in the affected muscles, resulting in relief. Similarly,
BOTOX®
is thought to block the signals that cause neck pain associated with cervical dystonia.
The exact way
BOTOX® works to reduce neck pain is unknown.
A study done in patients with CD showed that
BOTOX® can help
reduce the intensity and frequency of pain. Pain relief may happen first, before
muscle spasms are significantly reduced. Watch the
How BOTOX® Works animation now.
What should I avoid while taking BOTOX® or BOTOX® Cosmetic?
BOTOX® and
BOTOX® Cosmetic may cause
loss of strength or general muscle weakness, or vision problems within hours to
weeks of taking
BOTOX® or
BOTOX® Cosmetic.
If this happens, do not drive a car, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities.
See "What is the most important information I should know about
BOTOX®
and
BOTOX® Cosmetic?" in Medication Guide.
How can I find a doctor who injects BOTOX®?
You may use the
Find a Doctor tool
on this Web site to find a doctor near you. Doctors in our network have experience
with
BOTOX® treatment. They are an excellent source for answers
to your questions about
BOTOX®.
Why does my doctor give me a BOTOX® Medication Guide each time I receive
BOTOX® injections?
A Medication Guide is one of the specific safety practices required by the Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) for certain types of drugs that present an important
benefit to patients but may carry serious risks if not used properly. The
BOTOX®
Medication Guide helps to ensure that you receive important safety information about
your therapy. It is important that you receive from your doctor and review the
BOTOX®
Medication Guide at every injection, even if you've reviewed it before, because
information might be updated.
How is BOTOX® given?
BOTOX® neurotoxin is given by injection. You can get
BOTOX®
treatment right in your doctor's office. How much
BOTOX® the
doctor injects and which muscles are injected may be different from person to person.
You should be able to leave your doctor's office later the same day.
How long can I be treated with BOTOX®?
Your doctor will decide how long you can be treated with
BOTOX®.
You may receive repeat injections as long as:
- Your condition responds to BOTOX®
- You do not have any serious allergic reactions to BOTOX®
or other significant side effects
How can I help maintain my response to BOTOX®?
To maintain the best possible response to
BOTOX® over time,
your doctor will give you the lowest effective dose. Also, he or she will determine
the proper time between injections. To help your doctor determine how to best manage
your treatment, you may wish to track your symptoms in a diary.
Does the injection hurt?
You may experience localized pain, tenderness, and/or bruising where you receive
the injection.
When will BOTOX® start to work?
Once you receive
BOTOX® treatment, you’ll start to feel
the benefits soon, usually within a few days to a couple of weeks after receiving
BOTOX® treatment.
How long do the effects last?
After receiving
BOTOX® treatment, relief may last for up to
3 months. You may be able to receive additional
BOTOX® treatment
as needed. Your doctor will decide if repeat injections can help you. You may receive
repeat injections as long as:
- Your condition responds to BOTOX®
- You do not have any serious allergic reactions to BOTOX®
or other significant side effects
What are the possible side effects of BOTOX® and BOTOX®
Cosmetic?
BOTOX® and BOTOX® Cosmetic can cause serious side effects.
See "What is the most important information I should know about
BOTOX®
and
BOTOX® Cosmetic?" in Medication Guide.
Other side effects of BOTOX® and BOTOX® Cosmetic include:
- Dry mouth
- Discomfort or pain at the injection site
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Neck pain
- Eye problems: double vision, blurred vision, decreased eyesight,
drooping eyelids, swelling of your eyelids, and dry eyes
- Allergic reactions. Symptoms of an allergic reaction to
BOTOX® or BOTOX® Cosmetic may include:
itching, rash, red itchy welts, wheezing, asthma symptoms, or dizziness or feeling
faint. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you are wheezing or have
asthma symptoms, or if you become dizzy or faint
Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go
away.
These are not all the possible side effects of
BOTOX® and
BOTOX®
Cosmetic. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects
to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Will my insurance cover BOTOX®?
Many insurance plans, including Medicaid and Medicare, cover the cost of
BOTOX®
treatments for certain conditions. Call the
BOTOX® Reimbursement
Solutions Support Center for help resolving insurance coverage issues regarding
BOTOX® neurotoxin treatment.
Also, the BOTOX PATIENT ASSISTANCE® Program may help provide
access to BOTOX® to eligible patients who:
- Are uninsured or do not have full insurance
- Demonstrate a financial need
- Do not qualify for government assistance
For more information about
BOTOX® Reimbursement Solutions
or to find out if you are eligible for the
BOTOX PATIENT ASSISTANCE®
Program, call:
1-800-44-BOTOX (1-800-442-6869)
Press Option 4 for
BOTOX® Reimbursement Solutions.
Press Option 6 for
BOTOX PATIENT ASSISTANCE® Program.
What if I do not have insurance or have insufficient insurance and cannot afford
BOTOX®?
Allergan supports the
BOTOX PATIENT ASSISTANCE® Program for
financially eligible patients who do not have the resources to pay for their treatment.
To find out of you are eligible, call:
1-800-44-BOTOX (1-800-442-6869)
Press Option 4 for
BOTOX® Reimbursement Solutions.
Press Option 6 for
BOTOX PATIENT ASSISTANCE® Program.
Visit
BOTOX® Reimbursement Solutions Web site.
What is cervical dystonia or CD?
CD is a condition that affects muscles in the neck. If you have CD, those muscles
may tighten or spasm without your control. This can force your head and neck into
movements or positions that are painful and awkward.
If you think your symptoms may be caused by CD, talk to your doctor. Create a
customized symptom checklist
to print and discuss at your next doctor visit.
Also, learn more in the
Signs
of Cervical Dystonia section.
What is blepharospasm?
This condition causes spasms in and around the eyelids. This results in frequent
blinking and closing of the eyes that you can’t control. Because of these
symptoms, it can be hard to see. Treatment with
BOTOX® can
reduce muscle spasms. This reduces blinking, which may help improve your ability
to see.
What is strabismus?
Strabismus is also called
crossed eyes. Crossed eyes happens when certain muscles
tighten around the eye. This tightening pulls the eyeball to the side.
BOTOX®
treatment can reduce muscle spasms in the affected muscles. Then the eyeball can
return to its normal position.