These injections are often used to smooth wrinkles on the face. Overview · Why it's done · What to expect. Botox injections are injections that use a toxin to keep a muscle from moving for a limited time. They are also used to treat neck spasms, sweating, overactive bladder, lazy eye, and other conditions.
Botox injections can also help prevent migraines. Botox injections work by weakening or paralyzing certain muscles or blocking certain nerves. The effects last between three and twelve months, depending on what you're treating. The most common side effects are pain, swelling, or bruising at the injection site.
You may also have flu-like symptoms, headache, and stomach discomfort. Injections in the face can also cause temporary eyelid droopy. You should not use Botox if you are pregnant or nursing. Botox is an injectable medication that has been used since the 1970s to treat some medical conditions, such as eye crossing.
But it's probably better known as a treatment for fine lines and wrinkles. Botox is the trade name for a neurotoxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. Botox (OnabotulinumtoxinA) is commonly used for the following conditions. For information on Botox for cosmetic use, see Botox Cosmetic.
Botox may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider. Botox works by blocking certain nerve signals and reducing muscle activity at the site where it is injected. Botox is available as an injection given by a healthcare provider. Botox is usually administered by a healthcare provider in a hospital or clinic.
If you will be keeping Botox at home, follow your healthcare provider's instructions. The most common side effects of Botox are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on the condition being treated and where you receive the injection. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you. While less common, the more serious side effects of Botox are described below, along with what you should do if they occur.
Botox can cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using Botox and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction. Botox can cause problems with breathing, swallowing, or speaking. This can be serious or life threatening.
This occurs if the muscles you use to breathe and swallow weaken after the injection. It may occur hours, days, or weeks after the dose. Swallowing difficulties may last for several months. People who have trouble swallowing may need a feeding tube to get food and water. If swallowing problems are severe, food or fluids may enter the lungs.
Get emergency medical help right away if you have trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking. The medicine containing Botox may affect areas of the body away from the injection site. This can cause symptoms of a serious condition called botulism. Botulism symptoms may begin hours, days, or weeks after the dose.
Contact your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of botulism. When Botox is used to treat eyelid spasms (blepharospasm)), can reduce flicker. This can cause the surface of the eye to dry and become exposed, which can lead to more serious problems, such as an open sore in the eye (corneal ulcer). The risk is higher in people with certain nerve disorders.
If you notice any changes in your eyes, such as dry or irritated eyes, tell your healthcare provider right away. Your healthcare provider may treat you with eye drops, ointments, special contact lenses, or covering your eye to protect it. When Botox is used to treat crossed eyes (strabismus), bleeding can sometimes occur behind the eye, called retrobulbar bleeding. This can affect blood flow to a part of the eye called the retina, which is important for vision. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any eye problems, such as eye pain, loss of vision or other vision changes, or bulging eyes.
When Botox is used to treat muscle stiffness (spasticity) in the arms, bronchitis (lung inflammation) or upper respiratory tract infections may occur. The risk is higher in people with certain lung problems. Tell your healthcare provider if you have signs of a respiratory infection, such as a cough, nasal congestion, or sore throat. Inability to empty the bladder (urinary retention).
When Botox is used to treat overactive bladder or urinary incontinence caused by certain nervous system conditions, it can make it difficult to empty of the bladder. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have trouble urinating or can't empty your bladder. Your healthcare provider may decide that you need a catheter to help drain your bladder if you can't urinate on your own. Botox may increase the risk of certain effects on the heart, such as causing an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) or a heart attack, which could result in death.
Get emergency help if you have chest pain or pressure, trouble breathing, or if you have a change in heart rate or rhythm, such as a fast, slow, strong heartbeat, or that are skipped. People who are allergic to any of the following medications should not use Botox. Your pharmacist can tell you all the ingredients in Botox. Botox should not be injected into infected skin.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have any symptoms of a skin infection, such as redness, pain, swelling, hot skin, or blisters. Botox should not be used to treat certain conditions if you have a urinary tract infection. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms of a urinary tract infection before or after receiving Botox. Botox shouldn't be used to treat certain conditions if you can't empty your bladder, which is also called urinary retention.
Tell your healthcare provider if you cannot empty your bladder. Do not use Botox unless prescribed by a healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will store and administer the medication to you. Botulinum toxin can cause loss of strength, muscle weakness, vision problems, or dizziness.
This can happen hours, days, or weeks after the Botox injection. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how Botox affects you. People age 65 and older may be at greater risk of experiencing some side effects of Botox. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risks if you are in this age group.
It is not known if Botox could affect pregnancy or harm the fetus or of what way. Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Botox passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Your healthcare provider will tell you if you should receive Botox while is breastfeeding. There are no known interactions between Botox and food or drink. It is not known if drinking alcohol will affect Botox. If you have dizziness or blurred vision from Botox, alcohol can worsen these effects.
In particular, be sure to comment if you are using or have used any of the following products before using Botox. This may not be a complete list of medications that can interact with Botox. Always check with your healthcare provider. Botox is usually administered by a healthcare provider in a clinic.
Your healthcare provider will make sure that you are receiving Botox as scheduled. If you miss an appointment to receive your Botox dose, call to schedule another appointment as soon as possible. Meanwhile, aesthetic treatments require technique and skill for facial injections, which a highly qualified nurse or doctor can administer in an outpatient setting. Overall, there were no significant differences in the safety profile between patients aged 65 and over and those younger than 65 years after treatment with botulinum toxin.
The inhibition of these components may explain their possible treatment in chronic pain disorders, migraines and neuralgia. The medication contained in Botox injections is made from the same toxin that causes a type of food poisoning called botulism. Botox has been used for medical purposes since the 1970s and was approved by the FDA in 2002 for cosmetic purposes. Botox is primarily used to treat dynamic wrinkles, which are those that form due to facial movements when you make expressions, such as frowning, smiling and squinting.
The cosmetic form of botulinum toxin, which patients sometimes refer to as botox, is an injectable that reduces or temporarily eliminates fine lines and wrinkles on the face. You may notice skin improvements 1 to 7 days after treatment, but it may take 7 to 14 days to fully take effect. In addition, a retrospective study of 945 patients who received at least 3 consecutive treatments showed that there was no loss of effect with repeated treatments. The cosmetic form of botulinum toxin, which patients sometimes refer to as botox, is a popular injectable that temporarily reduces or eliminates fine lines and facial wrinkles.
During the procedure, your doctor will use a very fine needle to inject a small amount of Botox into the skin and muscles where you receive the treatment. For people looking for a cosmetic botulinum toxin, the American Academy of Facial Aesthetics has a locator feature that can help. However, when used properly in a therapeutic context, Botox is safe and has few side effects, as reported by the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.
