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What is Botox?
Botox (botulinum toxin type A) is made from the bacteria that causes botulism. Botulinum toxin blocks nerve activity in the muscles, causing a temporary reduction in muscle activity.
Botox is used to treat cervical dystonia (severe spasms in the neck muscles), or severe underarm sweating (hyperhidrosis).
Botox is also used to treat certain eye muscle conditions caused by nerve disorders. This includes uncontrolled blinking or spasm of the eyelids, and a condition in which the eyes do not point in the same direction.
Botox is also used to temporarily lessen the appearance of facial wrinkles.
Botox may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Before receiving Botox
You should not receive Botox if you are allergic to botulinum toxin, or if you have an infection, swelling, or muscle weakness in the area where the medicine will be injected.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely receive Botox.
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or "Lou Gehrig's disease");
myasthenia gravis;
Lambert-Eaton syndrome; or
heart disease.
Botox is made using human plasma (part of the blood) and may contain viruses and other infectious agents that can cause disease. Although donated human plasma is screened, tested, and treated to reduce the risk of it containing anything that could cause disease, there is still a small possibility it could transmit disease. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medication.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Botox is harmful to an unborn baby. Before you receive Botox, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether botulinum toxin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not receive this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How is Botox given?
Botox is given as an injection into a muscle. A doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection.
Botox injections should be given only by a trained medical professional, even when used for cosmetic purposes.
Your botulinum toxin injection may be given into more than one area at a time, depending on the condition being treated.
While receiving Botox injections for an eye muscle conditions, you may need to use eye drops, ointment, a special contact lens or other device to protect the surface of your eye. Follow your doctor's instructions.
If you are being treated for excessive sweating, shave your underarms about 24 hours before you will receive your injection. Do not apply underarm antiperspirants or deodorants for 24 hours before you receive the Botox injection. Avoid exercise and hot foods or beverages within 30 minutes before the injection.
It may take up to 2 weeks after injection before neck muscle spasm symptoms begin to improve. You may notice the greatest improvement at 6 weeks after injection.
It may take only 1 to 3 days after injection before eye muscle spasm symptoms begin to improve. You may notice the greatest improvement at 2 to 6 weeks after injection.
The effects of a Botox injection are temporary. Your symptoms may return completely within 3 months after an injection. After repeat injections, it may take less and less time before your symptoms return, especially if your body develops antibodies to the botulinum toxin. Do not seek botulinum toxin injections from more than one medical professional at a time. If you switch healthcare providers, be sure to tell your new provider how long it has been since your last Botox injection.
Using this medication more often than prescribed will not make it more effective and may result in serious side effects.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since Botox has a temporary effect and is given at widely spaced intervals, missing a dose is not likely to be harmful.
Allegra side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
The botulinum toxin contained in Botox can spread to other body areas beyond where it was injected. This has caused serious life-threatening side effects in some people receiving botulism toxin injections, even for cosmetic purposes.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects, some of which can occur up to several weeks after an injection:
trouble breathing, talking, or swallowing;
drooping eyelids;
unusual or severe muscle weakness (especially in a body area that was not injected with the medication);
loss of bladder control;
problems with vision or depth perception;
crusting or drainage from your eyes;
severe skin rash or itching; or
chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, general ill feeling.
Less serious Botox side effects may include:
muscle weakness near where the medicine was injected;
bruising, bleeding, pain, or tenderness where the injection was given;
headache, muscle stiffness, neck or back pain;
fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, nausea, flu symptoms,
dizziness, drowsiness, anxiety;
dry mouth, dry eyes;
increased sweating in areas other than the underarms;
itchy or watery eyes, increased sensitivity to light; or
eyelid swelling or bruising.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect Botox?
Before you receive Botox, tell your doctor if you are also taking:
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an antibiotic such as amikacin (Amikin), gentamicin (Garamycin), kanamycin (Kantrex), neomycin (Mycifradin, Neo-Fradin, Neo-Tab), paromomycin (Humatin, Paromycin), streptomycin, tobramycin (Nebcin, Tobi).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Botox. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
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