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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 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).

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 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
  • Swallowing problems may last for several months. 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, and trouble swallowing

These symptoms can happen hours to weeks after you receive an injection of BOTOX® or BOTOX® Cosmetic.

These problems could make it unsafe for you to drive a car or do other dangerous activities. See “What should I avoid while receiving BOTOX® or BOTOX® Cosmetic?” in Medication Guide.

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.

Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you have: a disease that affects your muscles and nerves (such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease], myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome).

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

BOTOX® and BOTOX® Cosmetic can cause serious side effects. 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. 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.

For additional information refer to Medication Guide. This Medication Guide summarizes the most important information about BOTOX® and BOTOX® Cosmetic. If you would like more information, talk with your doctor.

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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