Botulinum toxin is a medication used in the management and treatment of therapeutic and cosmetic purposes. Therapeutic uses include chronic migraine, spastic disorders, cervical dystonia, and detrusor hyperactivity.

Importance of Botox injections

Botox injections are noted primarily for the ability to reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles. They're also used to treat conditions such as neck spasms (cervical dystonia), excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), an overactive bladder and lazy eye. Botox injections may also help prevent chronic migraines.

Botox injections use a toxin called onobotulinumtoxinA to temporarily prevent a muscle from moving. This toxin is produced by the microbe that causes botulism, a type of food poisoning. Botox was the first drug to use botulinum toxin. Other products now include abobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport), rimabotulinumtoxinB (Myobloc) and incobotulinumtoxinA (Xeomin). Each is a little different, particularly when it comes to dosage units, so they aren't interchangeable.

Risks and side effects

Side effects from botulinum toxin injections vary depending on the area receiving treatment. Most issues are mild and improve in a day or two. Possible Botox side effects include:

• Pain, swelling or bruising at the injection site
• Headache or flu-like symptoms
• Droopy eyelid or cockeyed eyebrows
• Crooked smile or drooling
• Eye dryness or excessive tearing

Although very unlikely, it's possible for the toxin in the injection to spread in your body. Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these effects hours to weeks after receiving Botox:

• Muscle weakness
• Vision problems
• Trouble speaking or swallowing
• Breathing problems
• Loss of bladder control

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Regards,

Kathy Andrews
Managing Editor
Journal of Clinical Toxicology
toxicology@eclinicalsci.com