botulinum toxin - injection, Botox, Botox Cosmetic, Dysport

BRAND NAME(S): Botox, Botox Cosmetic, Dysport, Myobloc

Warning | Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage

WARNING: See also Uses section.

This medication can spread to other parts of the body after your injection, causing serious (possibly fatal) side effects. These can occur hours or even weeks after the injection. However, the chances of such serious side effects occurring when this medication is used for migraines or skin conditions such as wrinkles, eye spasm, or excessive sweating are extremely unlikely.

Children being treated for muscle spasms have the greatest risk of these effects, as well as anyone that has certain medical conditions (see Precautions section). Discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: chest pain, difficulty breathing, excessive muscle weakness, irregular heartbeat, severe difficulty swallowing or speaking, loss of bladder control.

USES: There are different types of botulinum toxin products (toxin A and B) with different uses (eye problems, muscle spasms, migraines, cosmetic, overactive bladder). Different brands of this medication deliver different amounts of medication. Your doctor will choose the correct product for you.Botulinum toxin is used to treat certain eye disorders such as crossed eyes (strabismus) and uncontrolled blinking (blepharospasm), to treat muscle spasms or movement disorders (such as cervical dystonia, torticollis), and to reduce the cosmetic appearance of wrinkles. It is also used to prevent headaches in people with very frequent migraines. Botulinum toxin relaxes muscle by blocking the release of a chemical called acetylcholine.Botulinum toxin is also used to treat overactive bladder by patients who do not respond to or who cannot tolerate the side effects of other medications. It helps to reduce leaking of urine, feeling of needing to urinate right away, and frequent trips to the bathroom.It is also used to treat severe underarm sweating. Botulinum toxin works by blocking the chemicals that turn on the sweat glands.Botulinum toxin is not a cure, and your symptoms will gradually return as the medication wears off.

HOW TO USE: Read the Medication Guide and, if available, the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using this medication and each time you get an injection. If you have any questions regarding the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.This medication is given by injection by an experienced health care professional. It is injected into the affected muscles (intramuscularly) when treating eye disorders, muscle spasms and wrinkles. When used to prevent migraines, it is injected into the muscles of the head and neck. It is injected into the skin (intradermally) for the treatment of excessive sweating. When treating overactive bladder, it is injected into the bladder.Your dose, the number of injections, the site of injections, and how often you receive the medication will be determined by your condition and your response to therapy. Most people start to see an effect within a few days to 2 weeks, and the effect usually lasts 3 to 6 months.

SIDE EFFECTS: Because this medication is given at the site of your condition, most of the side effects occur close to where the medication is injected. Redness, bruising, infection, and pain at the injection site may occur.Dizziness, mild difficulty swallowing, respiratory infections such as cold or flu, pain, nausea, headache, and muscle weakness may occur when this medication is used to relax muscles. Double vision, drooping or swollen eyelid, eye irritation, dry eyes, tearing, reduced blinking, and increased sensitivity to light may also occur.If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. You may require protective eye drops/ointments, an eye patch, or other treatment.When this medication is used to prevent migraines, side effects such as headache, neck pain, and drooping eyelid may occur.When this medication is used for excessive sweating, side effects such as non-underarm sweating, respiratory infections such as cold or flu, headache, fever, neck or back pain, and anxiety may occur.When this medication is used for overactive bladder, side effects such as urinary tract infections, burning/painful urination, fever, or difficulty urinating may occur.If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but get medical help right away if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), rash, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.In the US -Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

PRECAUTIONS: Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as cow's milk protein found in some products), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.Before using this medication, tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: bleeding problems, eye surgery, certain eye problem (glaucoma), heart disease, signs of infection near the injection site, urinary tract infection, inability to urinate, muscle/nerve disorders such as Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS) or myasthenia gravis, seizures, trouble swallowing (dysphagia), breathing problems (such as asthma, emphysema, aspiration-type pneumonia), treatment with any botulinum toxin product (especially in the last 4 months).This drug may make cause muscle weakness, droopy eyelids, or blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness or clear vision until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication.Caution is advised if using this drug in children for muscle spasms, because they may be more sensitive to its possible side effects (such as difficulty breathing or swallowing). See Warning section. Discuss the risks and benefits with the doctor.This medication should be used only if clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Use for the cosmetic treatment of wrinkles is not recommended during pregnancy.It is not known whether this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding

QUESTION

An average adult has about ________ square feet of skin. See Answer

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.Some products that may interact with this drug include: certain antibiotics (e.g., aminoglycosides such as gentamicin, polymyxin), anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin), Alzheimer's disease drugs (e.g., donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine, tacrine), myasthenia gravis drugs (e.g., ambenonium, pyridostigmine), quinidine.

OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. An antitoxin is available but must be used before symptoms of overdose become apparent. Symptoms of overdose may be delayed, and may include serious muscle weakness, breathing problems and paralysis.

NOTES: It is important to understand the risks and benefits of this therapy. Discuss any questions or concerns with your health care professional.

MISSED DOSE: Not applicable.

STORAGE: Not applicable. This medication is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

Information last revised March 2013. Copyright(c) 2013 First Databank, Inc.