Is Botox For Migraine > The primary goal of migraine treatment is to reduce frequency and duration of acute attacks. Botox has been used for years to treat headaches including migraine; however, this newer use has not been officially tested or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Botox has been used by some migraine sufferers to treat their chronic condition. It is a popular choice because it is effective and cheap. However, there are some important facts that botox cannot help with, and these must be kept in mind before making the decision to use it. Read on to learn more Botox Injections For Migraines Nhs/Does Botox For Migraines Help Wrinkles.
Is Botox For Migraine
treatment can be considered as an option for people who have chronic migraine (headaches on at least 15 days of every month, at least 8 days of which are migraine) that has not responded to at least 3 previous preventative medical treatments.
Migraines affect about 10% of people around the world and are about three times more common in women than men. Chronic migraines, which are defined as migraine episodes that occur more than 15 days out of any given month, affect about 1% of people.
Chronic migraines can greatly impact daily life due to the pain and other symptoms they cause. Fortunately, Botox has been shown to be an effective treatment for reducing migraine-related pain. In one study, patients reported experiencing 50% fewer headache days while receiving Botox treatment.
Botox is created from botulinum toxin. While the idea of being injected with a toxin may sound scary, Botox actually contains such a miniscule amount of toxin that there is little chance of dangerous side effects.
Botox works by reducing muscle contractions and stopping neurotransmitters from sending pain signals to your brain. This can help reduce the pain caused by migraines and lets many patients enjoy daily life without interruption.
The effect is only temporary, so patients will need to receive ongoing treatment. The most common treatment timeline involves an injection every 12 weeks, or four times per year. It may take several weeks to experience migraine relief after an injection. Your doctor may adjust this timeline according to your individual needs.
people who fit the following criteria for chronic migraines:
- Experience headaches for more than 15 days a month where at least 8 days involve migraines that last at least 4 hours each
- Struggle with the above for at least 3 months
- Are at least 18 years old
Botox Injections For Migraines Nhs
The NHS is set to use Botox injections to treat chronic migraines, it has been widely reported. The muscle-paralysing injections are popular as a cosmetic treatment, but due to its nerve-blocking effects, Botox does have a role in the treatment of certain medical conditions. NICE recommends that Botox can be considered as an option for the prevention of headaches for people who have chronic migraine (headaches on at least 15 days of every month, at least eight days of which are migraine) that has not responded to at least three prior preventative drug treatments
The most common side effect following Botox treatment for migraine is neck pain, but research shows that even though this side-effect is the most frequently seen, only 9% of people experience neck discomfort.
OTHER SIDE EFFECTS MAY INCLUDE:
- Partial paralysis in the face
- Muscular weakness
- Musculoskeletal stiffness
- Muscle spasms
- Drooping eyelids
- Pain at the site of the injections
Any of these side effects affect only a very small percentage of people, with most experiencing no more than mild discomfort or occasionally some slight lumpiness beneath the skin. This goes away within a few hours, or at most a day or two.
Very occasionally, more severe side effects need immediate treatment. These include difficulties in breathing or swallowing, weakness in the muscles, or changes in vision. They are uncommon, but your doctor will advise so you are aware of what to look out for after treatment.
Some people report feeling a little woozy or shaky, but this is usually due to a spike of adrenaline caused by nerves rather than from the Botox. Following treatment, you will be well enough to return home or go back to work.
Does Botox For Migraines Help Wrinkles
- Botox is used as a therapeutic treatment for many conditions, including for prevention of migraine headaches, and Botox Cosmetic is used for aesthetic purposes to lessen wrinkles like crow’s feet or forehead lines.
- Botox and Botox Cosmetic are prescription medicines that both contain the active ingredient onabotulinumtoxinA, but they come as separate products.
- Originally when Botox was first approved for wrinkles, doctors found it all also helped patients with migraine headaches. It was eventually approved by the FDA for migraine prevention in 2010.
- Both treatments are given as injections into the muscles of the face, neck or head, depending upon the use. You will need more injections per session for migraine prevention than for wrinkle treatment.
- Botox (for the treatment of chronic migraine) and Botox Cosmetic are for use in adults only.
Learn More: Compare Botox vs Botox Cosmetic
In addition to prevention of chronic migraine headache in adults, Botox is also approved to treat:
- overactive bladder
- leakage of urine (incontinence) in adults with overactive bladder due to neurologic disease
- muscle spasticity
- cervical dystonia (abnormal head position and neck pain)
- certain types of eye muscle problems or eyelid spasms
- severe underarm sweating
Botox Cosmetic is approved for adults to temporarily help improve the look of moderate to severe facial wrinkles:
- forehead lines
- crow’s feet lines
- frown lines between the eyebrows.
Can I get Botox and Botox Cosmetic at the same time?
Yes, you can receive Botox and Botox Cosmetic for different uses at the same time as long as the total dose received of onabotulinumtoxinA does not exceed 400 Units administered in a 3 month period for adults.
You may also receive Botox Cosmetic treatment for treatment of different wrinkle areas at the same time. It is not known if Botox Cosmetic is safe and effective for use more than once every 3 months.
The dilution and the resulting units per 0.1 mL (as noted in the package insert) are different between Botox and Botox Cosmetic. Health care providers should see the specific instructions for reconstitution and administration of each product.
According to the manufacturer, 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 chronic migraine or when Botox Cosmetic has been used at the recommended dose to treat approved wrinkle areas.
What are Botox or Botox Cosmetic side effects?
- dry mouth
- discomfort or pain at the injection site
- tiredness
- headache
- neck pain
- eye problem
- drooping eyebrow
- urinary tract infection and painful urination
- inability to empty your bladder
- allergic reaction
- upper respiratory tract infection
Botox appointments are very quick and can be done right in your doctor’s office in about 15-30 minutes. You don’t need to do anything to prepare, but your doctor may ask you to stop taking certain medications a few days prior to the injection. You should also inform your doctor if you’ve had a Botox injection in the past four months, even if it wasn’t an injection for migraines.
During your appointment, your doctor may numb your skin with a topical anesthetic. You may receive several shots during the procedure in the areas on your head and neck where you feel pain. The shots may feel like a slight pinch.