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In recent years, BOTOX® neurotoxin has received much attention from the public. As a result, you may have heard some myths about BOTOX®. The information here clears up some of the most common ones. Read on to get the facts about BOTOX® treatment.

MYTH: BOTOX® is not for medical use.
FACT: BOTOX® has several approved medical uses.

The FDA has approved BOTOX® to treat:
  • Cervical dystonia (CD)—head tilting, neck pain, and neck muscle spasms
  • Blepharospasm, or eyelid spasms
  • Strabismus, also called crossed eyes
  • Symptoms of severe underarm sweating when antiperspirants don’t work well enough
The same formulation with dosing specific to moderate to severe frown lines between the brows was approved by the FDA in 2002 as BOTOX® Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA). For more information, visit the BOTOX® Cosmetic Web site.

MYTH: You can only get BOTOX® treatment once.
FACT: BOTOX® treatment can be repeated.

Each BOTOX® treatment typically lasts up to 3 months in most patients. Treatments can be repeated as long as your condition responds to BOTOX®. Although most people continue to respond to BOTOX®, some people respond less over time. Your doctor will do 2 things to help you maintain your response to BOTOX®. He or she will:
  • Give you the lowest effective dose
  • Determine the proper time between injections
Your doctor may not give you repeat treatment with BOTOX® if you have had any serious allergic reactions or other significant side effects to BOTOX® in the past.

MYTH: All botulinum toxins are the same as BOTOX®.
FACT: BOTOX® is not the same as any other product.

BOTOX® (onabotulinumtoxinA) is a type of medicine that is made from living things. These medicines are referred to as biological products—or biologics for short. It is important to understand that no two biological products are the same. Each botulinum toxin product and its Unit dosing is unique and different, and not interchangeable, which means that one product cannot take the place of another.

Botulinum toxin products differ in the following areas:
  • Dosing
  • Manufacturing
  • Potency
  • Adverse events
Get answers to other common questions about BOTOX® treatment by
downloading the Patient Q&A Brochure.
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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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