Botox for Migraine Treatment
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Updated December 29, 2014.
What is Botox?:
Botox is most known for its use in reducing facial wrinkles, but it has been used as a treatment for migraines as well. It is a purified and diluted form botulinum toxin A, a toxin produced by a bacteria, which is responsible for botulism. Botulism is a deadly food poisoning most known for its paralyzing effects on the muscles, including the muscles responsible for breathing.
How Does Botox Work for Migraines?:
Researchers noticed that many migraine sufferers who had Botox injections for wrinkles reported having fewer migraines. It is unknown exactly how the Botox reduces headache frequency, and more research needs to be done to determine which type of headache sufferers will benefit most from using Botox.
Botox is injected into the muscles around the brow, eyes, forehead, side of the head, and back of the head near the neck. Botox is used as a preventative medicine, requiring treatments every 4 to 6 months to work most effectively.
Is Botox FDA Approved?:
Botox was approved to treat chronic migraines in October 2010. Prior to that, it was used off-label for this purpose. Botox is also approved for use in certain disorders of the eyes, torticollis and facial wrinkles.
What Types of Side Effects Might I Experience?:
In rare cases, symptoms similar to botulism have been reported after using Botox. The exact rate of these reactions is not known. These include:
Any of these side effects should be reported to your health care provider immediately.
Less serious side effects include dry mouth, discomfort or pain at the injection site, tiredness, headache, neck pain, eyelid swelling, and dry eyes. They occur in less than 10% of people using Botox.
Is Botox Safe to Use While Pregnant?:
Botox is a Pregnancy Category C medication, meaning there is not enough research to determine if it is safe to use while pregnant. Your obstetrician will need to help you determine if the risk of using Botox is greater than the potential benefit of treatment.
Sources:
Package insert. Allergan Pharmaceuticals. Issued 07/2009. http://www.allergan.com/assets/pdf/botox_pi.pdf
Evers S, Rahmann A, Vollmer-Haase J, Husstedt IW. Treatment of headache with botulinum toxin A-a review according to evidence-based medicine criteria. Cephalalgia. 2002;22:699-710.
Modi S, Lowder DM. Medications for migraine prophylaxis. Am Fam Physician. 2006 Jan 1;73(1):72-8. http://www.aafp.org/afp/2006/0101/p72.html
Silberstein S, Matthew N, Saper J, Jenkins S. Botulinum toxin type A as a migraine preventive treatment. Headache. 2000;40:445-50.
Updated December 29, 2014.
What is Botox?:
Botox is most known for its use in reducing facial wrinkles, but it has been used as a treatment for migraines as well. It is a purified and diluted form botulinum toxin A, a toxin produced by a bacteria, which is responsible for botulism. Botulism is a deadly food poisoning most known for its paralyzing effects on the muscles, including the muscles responsible for breathing.
How Does Botox Work for Migraines?:
Researchers noticed that many migraine sufferers who had Botox injections for wrinkles reported having fewer migraines. It is unknown exactly how the Botox reduces headache frequency, and more research needs to be done to determine which type of headache sufferers will benefit most from using Botox.
Botox is injected into the muscles around the brow, eyes, forehead, side of the head, and back of the head near the neck. Botox is used as a preventative medicine, requiring treatments every 4 to 6 months to work most effectively.
Is Botox FDA Approved?:
Botox was approved to treat chronic migraines in October 2010. Prior to that, it was used off-label for this purpose. Botox is also approved for use in certain disorders of the eyes, torticollis and facial wrinkles.
What Types of Side Effects Might I Experience?:
In rare cases, symptoms similar to botulism have been reported after using Botox. The exact rate of these reactions is not known. These include:
- loss of strength, general muscle weakness
- double vision
- blurry vision
- eyelid drooping
- difficulty swallowing or speaking
- urinary incontinence
- breathing difficulties
- allergic reactions
Any of these side effects should be reported to your health care provider immediately.
Less serious side effects include dry mouth, discomfort or pain at the injection site, tiredness, headache, neck pain, eyelid swelling, and dry eyes. They occur in less than 10% of people using Botox.
Is Botox Safe to Use While Pregnant?:
Botox is a Pregnancy Category C medication, meaning there is not enough research to determine if it is safe to use while pregnant. Your obstetrician will need to help you determine if the risk of using Botox is greater than the potential benefit of treatment.
Sources:
Package insert. Allergan Pharmaceuticals. Issued 07/2009. http://www.allergan.com/assets/pdf/botox_pi.pdf
Evers S, Rahmann A, Vollmer-Haase J, Husstedt IW. Treatment of headache with botulinum toxin A-a review according to evidence-based medicine criteria. Cephalalgia. 2002;22:699-710.
Modi S, Lowder DM. Medications for migraine prophylaxis. Am Fam Physician. 2006 Jan 1;73(1):72-8. http://www.aafp.org/afp/2006/0101/p72.html
Silberstein S, Matthew N, Saper J, Jenkins S. Botulinum toxin type A as a migraine preventive treatment. Headache. 2000;40:445-50.
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