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| Pronunciation |
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 (BOT
yoo lin num TOKS in type
aye) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Botox® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Neuromuscular Blocker Agent, Toxin; Ophthalmic Agent, Toxin |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to albumin, botulinum toxin, or any other part
of the medicine.
- If you have any of the following conditions: An infection in the area
where the shot will be given, any disease where the nerves have trouble
communicating with the muscles.
- If you are having bleeding problems.
- If you are taking a medicine to thin the blood.
- If you are pregnant.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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- This medicine is used to treat muscle problems around the eye area.
These muscles can cause crossed, winking, or twitching eyes in patients at least
12 years old. It may also treat spasms of the head caused by muscles in the neck
in patients at least 16 years old. Improvement is usually seen in about 2 weeks
after use.
- It can be used for other muscle problems leading to uncontrolled
spasms, prevention and treatment of migraine headaches, lines and wrinkles of
the face and neck, anal fissure that do not go
away.
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| How does it work? |
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- Botulinum toxin A paralyzes the muscle getting the
injection.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- The medicine is given by needle into the muscle(s) causing the spasms.
- It is given in a clinic or hospital setting by a healthcare provider.
- It is not a cure. It may be given on an as needed basis to help with
spasms.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Call and reschedule your
appointment.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
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- Tell healthcare provider if you have any diseases where the nerves do
not communicate well with the muscles (eg, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, motor
neuropathy, myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton syndrome).
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control
that you can trust while taking this medicine.
- Do not use if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
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- Cervical dystonia:
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- Trouble swallowing.
- Lung infections.
- Feeling sleepy or dizzy. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or
activities that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects
you.
- Twitching or winking (blepharospasm):
- Eyelid drooping.
- Dry eyes.
- Double vision.
- Decreased blinking.
- Rarely, ulcers have occurred.
- Cross-eyed (strabismus):
- Eyelid drooping.
- Double vision.
- Rarely, bleeding in the eye has
occurred.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the
same?
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat.
- Trouble swallowing, speaking, or breathing.
- A change in vision or any eye pain.
- Any signs or symptoms of an
infection.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- This medicine will be given in a clinic or hospital setting. You will
not store it at home.
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| General statements |
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- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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