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.

Important information about Botox

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 drooping eyelids, vision problems, severe muscle weakness, loss of bladder control, or trouble breathing, talking, or swallowing. Some of these effects can occur up to several weeks after a Botox injection. Botulinum toxin injections should be given only by a trained medical professional, even when used for cosmetic purposes. Do not seek Botox 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 botulinum toxin injection.

Using Botox more often than prescribed will not make it more effective and may result in serious side effects.

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.

Before receiving a Botox injection, tell your doctor if you have ALS ( Lou Gehrig’s disease), myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton syndrome, or heart disease.

The effects of a botulinum toxin 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.

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.