- Temporarily improve the appearance of wrinkles between the eyebrows (frown lines)
- Relieve neck pain and abnormal head position associated with cervical dystonia (a certain kind of muscle spasms of the head and neck)
- Treat severe underarm sweating that has not responded to other treatments
- Treat eyelid twitching or spasms (known medically as blepharospasm)
- Treat misaligned eyes, such as crossed eyes (known medically as strabismus).
The generic name for Botox was changed from "botulinum type A" to "onabotulinumtoxinA" to help prevent confusion and mix-ups between Botox and other similar botulinum type A products.
Botox is made by Allergan Pharmaceuticals.
Botox is a toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. The drug works by decreasing nerve signals to muscles, which helps them to relax. Botox enters nerve cells and inhibits the release of acetylcholine, a chemical that transmits signals from nerve to nerve. The actions of the drug are not permanent, and the muscle will eventually recover and return to its previous state.
For severe sweating, Botox works similarly, blocking the release of acetylcholine from the nerve cells that stimulate the sweat glands.
Studies have evaluated Botox to treat frown lines between the eyebrows. In studies, up to 82 percent of people who received injections saw significant improvement one week afterwards, compared to just 9 percent who had received placebo injections (which did not contain any active ingredient). This effect lasted for at least 60 days, after which time the effects appear to gradually decrease. At 120 days after the injections, 39 percent of people who received Botox still saw improvement.
For cervical dystonia (muscle spasms of the head and neck), studies showed that
Botox injections help relieve neck pain and abnormal head positioning, compared to placebo injections (which contain no active ingredient). In most people, the beneficial effects were gone after about three months.
Studies of Botox for severe underarm sweating showed that up to 86 percent of people who received injections decreased their sweat production by 50 percent or more, compared to up to 45 percent of people receiving placebo injections (with no active ingredient). The beneficial effects lasted an average of 200 days.
Studies have also shown that Botox can improve eyelid twitching or spasms (blepharospasm) and misaligned eyes (strabismus) caused by abnormal muscle
contractions.
General considerations for when and how to take Botox include the following:
- The drug comes in injectable form. It is injected directly into the muscles that are causing the problems. When treating severe sweating, Botox is injected directly into the underarm.
- When treating misaligned eyes (strabismus), special techniques, sometimes using the electrical signals from the muscles, must be used to make sure that the injections are given in the right place.
- Your healthcare provider may choose to use an anesthetic cream to numb your skin before the injection, but this is not necessary. If you are worried about pain, be sure to ask your healthcare provider about using an anesthetic cream.
- The effects of Botox are not permanent. You will need to receive injections periodically in order to maintain the effects.
- For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed.
The dose of Botox your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- The condition being treated
- How you respond to Botox
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you may be taking.
As always, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Botox. However, not everyone who receives injections will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
Common side effects include but are not limited to:
- Droopy eyelids
- Difficulty swallowing
- Vertical misalignment of the eye (vertical deviation)
- Upper respiratory infection (such as the common cold)
- Neck pain
- Headache.
(Click Botox Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
Drug Interactions With Botox
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Using Botox?
Talk with your healthcare provider prior to receiving injections if you have:
- An infection near the site where you receive the injections
- Difficulty swallowing
- Heart disease
- Neuromuscular disease, such as:
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
What If I Take an Overdose?
People who receive too much Botox may experience the following symptoms:
- Muscle paralysis
- General weakness.
If you happen to overdose, seek immediate medical attention.
How Should Botox Be Stored?
The medication should be stored in the refrigerator at your healthcare provider's office. It comes as a dry powder that must be mixed with saline. After it is mixed, Botox should be used within four hours.
Botox comes in the following vial sizes:
- Botox 50-unit single-use vials, containing 50 units of the drug
- Botox 100-unit single-use vials, containing 100 units of the drug.
There are two forms: regular Botox and Botox Cosmetic. There is no difference between the two, except Botox Cosmetic is approved to treat wrinkles, while regular Botox is approved for the other uses.
Is There a Generic Version of Botox?
Currently, no generic versions of Botox are licensed for sale
(see Generic Botox).
