Botulinum Toxin Injections—Medical

(Botulinum Toxin Type A; Botulinum Toxin Type B; Botox Injections)

Pronounced: baut-U-lie-num tock-sin in-jek-shuns
by Shara Aaron, MS, RD

Definition

Botulinum toxin is made from a type of bacteria. It is toxic to the nerves. An injection puts this toxin into muscle. There, it blocks the chemical signal from the nerves to muscles. This will decrease the muscle contraction.

Botulinum toxin is used for cosmetic and medical reasons. The injection process is often called botox injection, although any brand of the botulinum toxin may be used.

Reasons for Procedure

The injection is FDA-approved to treat:

  • Cervical dystonia—abnormal spasms of neck muscles
  • Blepharospasm—spasm of eyelid muscles
  • Strabismus—crossed eyes
  • Hyperhydrosis—excessive sweating

The injection has also been used to treat other conditions, such as:

Strabismus

Lazy eye
Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Possible Complications    TOP

Complications are rare. When they occur, they are temporary and mild. Side effects are related to the site of injection. For example, if injections take place near the eyes, there may be complications with eyelids or brow line.

Temporary issues may include:

  • Redness
  • Bruising
  • Stinging around the injection sites

The following are less common reactions. They are generally mild and do not last long.

  • Nausea
  • Fatigue
  • Flu -like symptoms
  • Headache

Other complications that may occur include:

  • Excessive weakness of the muscle around the eyes—can cause drooping of the eyelids or obstruction of vision
  • Difficulty swallowing—can occur in patients receiving injections in their neck
  • Compensatory hyperhidrosis—people being treated for hyperhidrosis may develop increased sweat production at another area of the body
  • Excessive weakness or wasting in certain muscles—the injection may slow any improvement in the muscle
  • Neck weakness in people with long, thin necks
  • Risk of the botulinum toxin spreading beyond the injection area—may cause botulism symptoms, including difficulty breathing and death in severe cases. Children with cerebral palsy may be at a higher risk for this side effect.

The toxin can also interact with medicines, such as antibiotics. Tell your doctor about all of the medicines that you are taking.

You should not have botox if you:

  • Have an infection or inflammation in the area where botox will be injected
  • Are sensitive to the ingredients in botox
  • Are pregnant or breastfeeding

What to Expect    TOP

Anesthesia

Most often, none is given. Some patients may prefer to have the area numbed for comfort. In this case, a topical anesthetic may be used.

Description of the Procedure

A thin needle will be used. The doctor will inject the toxin through the skin into the targeted muscle. You will often need several injections in a small area.

After Procedure

There is very little recovery needed, but remember to:

  • Remain upright for several hours
  • Avoid alcohol

How Long Will It Take?

The length will depend on the number of sites involved. It is often less than 20 minutes.

Will It Hurt?

You may have some minimal discomfort.

Post-procedure Care

Normal activities may be resumed after the procedure. For the best recovery, follow your doctor's instructions.

The toxin temporarily weakens targeted muscles. The treatment lasts up to four months. With repeated use, the effects may last longer.

Call Your Doctor    TOP

Contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Difficulty speaking
  • Severe lower eyelid droop or obstructed vision
  • Excessive weakness around the injection site
  • Rash or any other sign of an allergic reaction

In case of an emergency, call for medical help right away.

RESOURCES:

American Society for Dermatologic Surgery
http://www.asds.net
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
http://www.plasticsurgery.org

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Dermatology Association
http://www.dermatology.ca
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca

References:

Allergan Physician Production Information. Botox cosmetic (botulinum toxin type A). Published April 2008.
Ondo WG, Gollomp S, Galvez-Jimenez N. A pilot study of botulinum toxin A for headache in cervical dystonia. Headache . 2005;45(8):1073-1077.
Ward A, Roberts G, Warner J, et al. Cost-effectiveness of botulinum toxin type A in the treatment of post-stroke spasticity. J Rehabil Med . 2005;37(4):252-257.
11/4/2009 DynaMed Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.dynamicmedical.com/what.php : FDA gives update on botulinum toxin safety warnings. US Food and Drug Administration website. Available at: http://www.fda.gov... . Updated August 3, 2009. Accessed November 4, 2009.
3/19/2010 DynaMed Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.dynamicmedical.com/what.php : FDA approves Botox to treat spasticity in flexor muscles of the elbow, wrist and fingers. US Food and Drug Administration website. Available at: http://www.fda.gov... . Updated March 9, 2010. Accessed March 19, 2010.
5/17/2012 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/ : Jackson JL, Kuriyama A, Hayashino Y. Botulinum toxin A for prophylactic treatment of migraine and tension headaches in adults: a meta-analysis. JAMA. 2012;307(16):1736-1745.
Last reviewed May 2013 by Mervin Low, MD, PC; Michael Woods, MD
Last Updated: 5/24/2013