Download Introduction Botox® is a well known brand name for a medicinal

Botox
Introduction
Botox® is a well known brand name for a medicinal form
of a toxin, or poison. When injected in small doses into
specific muscles, Botox doesn't poison you. Instead, it
acts as a muscle relaxant. Botox is used to treat certain
medical problems. It is also used to improve facial
wrinkles. The effects of Botox can last for several months.
This reference summary will explain the benefits and risks of Botox. It includes
information about Botox, why it’s done, how it is done and its risks.
Why It’s Done and How It Works
Botox is a medicinal form of a toxin, or poison. The toxin is known as botulinum toxin
type A, or onabotulinumtoxinA. It is produced by bacteria that cause botulism, which
can cause a type of food poisoning. There are two forms of the botulinum toxin
medicine, Botox and Botox Cosmetic. Botox is used to treat medical problems. Botox
Cosmetic is used to improve facial wrinkles. You may hear both referred to as Botox.
Botox injections weaken or paralyze certain muscles. Paralysis is the loss of ability to
move all or part of the body. Botox blocks chemical signals from nerves that tell the
muscles to contract. This causes the muscles to stay flaccid or weak. It can have
therapeutic or cosmetic effects, especially where muscles are chronically tight or
spastic. Botox is used to treat several medical problems, including:
• Cervical dystonia.
• Spasmodic dysphonia.
• Chronic migraine.
• Excessive sweating.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2016, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 07/21/2016
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• Lazy eye.
• Muscle stiffness in the elbow, wrist and finger muscles.
• Twitching of the eyelids and uncontrollable blinking.
Cervical dystonia causes neck pain and abnormal head position. It also causes severe
muscle spasms of the neck. Spasmodic dysphonia is a condition that affects the vocal
cords, causing them to tighten at times for no reason. It can make it difficult to speak.
Chronic migraines cause headaches for more than 14 days a month, including a
migraine on at least eight of those days.
When Botox is used to treat excessive sweating, it weakens the sweat glands rather
than muscles. Botox is injected into the area where excessive sweating takes place. It
can be injected into the palms of the hands, underarms or soles of the feet.
Botox Cosmetic can temporarily relax the facial muscles that cause wrinkles. Botox
can make them less noticeable. Botox is used as a temporary treatment for moderate
to deep frown lines between the eyebrows. But, Botox can be used to treat other facial
wrinkles as well.
Your skin type, skin thickness and degree of wrinkling all play a role in deciding if
Botox injections are right for you. Botox can treat the lines that fan out from the corners
of the eyes, also known as crow's feet. It can also be used to treat the forehead furrow.
Botox won't reverse wrinkling caused by sun damage. Also, it is less effective to treat
the lines around your mouth. Muscles in this area are
needed for eating and talking.
How to Prepare
Before Botox injections, you need to meet with your
health care provider to see if they are right for you. Your
health care provider will ask about your medical history
and give you a physical exam. He or she will also ask
about medications you use.
You may need to stop using certain medications before your Botox procedure. Talk to
your health care provider before stopping any medications. It may be best to continue
certain medications if you have a history of:
• Blood clots.
• Stroke.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2016, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 07/21/2016
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• Heart attack.
• Angina.
• Transient ischemic attacks.
Let your health care provider know if:
• You have received any other Botox product before, especially in the
last four months.
• You have recently been given antibiotics by injection.
• You take muscle relaxants.
• You take allergy, cold or sleep medicine.
You and your health care provider should talk about your reasons for getting Botox.
You should also discuss your expectations. Your health care provider will explain what
Botox can and can't do for you.
Botox injections can be expensive. They are not always covered by insurance. Make
sure you know in advance:
• How much the injections will cost.
• If your insurance provider will cover them.
If you're being treated for excessive sweating, there are
several steps to take before you receive injections. Your health
care provider may ask you to:
• Shave your underarms.
• Do not use deodorant for 24 hours before treatment.
• Avoid foods or activities that may make you sweat more
for 30 minutes before the procedure.
During the Procedure
You will be placed in an upright position on an exam table. A cleanser is used on the
area where the injection will be given. A medicine may be used to numb the area.
Your health care provider will use a thin needle. He or she will inject tiny amounts of
Botox into your skin or muscles. When treating excessive underarm sweating, your
health care provider will inject Botox into the skin under your arms.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2016, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 07/21/2016
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Your health care provider may inject Botox into specific muscles to treat facial wrinkles
or other conditions. The number of injections needed depends on
many factors, including the size of the area being treated.
Botox injections take about 10 to 15 minutes. They are usually done
in a health care provider's office. You may experience mild pain with
the injections, but most people find it tolerable. It is common for the
health care provider to apply pressure if an area bleeds after the
injection. Applying pressure will help stop the bleeding.
After the Procedure
You should be able to resume your normal daily activities
right after the procedure. But, you may experience
bruising or other minor side effects from the injection. It is
important to avoid rubbing or massaging the treated
areas. Doing so can cause the toxin to move to a different
area. Avoid lying down for two to four hours.
To prevent bruising, you should avoid taking aspirin or
related products, such as ibuprofen. You should discuss
this with your health care provider prior to the Botox
treatment.
You should see results within three to 10 days. Wrinkles should disappear for up to
three or four months. As time passes, the muscle activity will gradually return to
normal. Other areas may return to normal sooner or later, depending on how much
Botox was used. Two or three sessions of Botox treatment may be needed for deeper
wrinkles before you notice results.
People who use Cosmetic Botox may have additional procedures, such as the use of
filler substances. Collagen is one type of filler substance. Collagen is a protein found in
human connective tissue. It can be injected into the skin to raise wrinkles, making them
easier to treat. The area of the crease between the eyes is an ideal place for Botox and
filler together. These wrinkles don't always respond best to Botox alone.
To get the best results, go to a health care provider who is experienced in
Botox treatment. He or she should have a good reputation for performing
this type of procedure.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2016, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 07/21/2016
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The manufacturers of Botox recommend physicians inject the medication. Ask
for a referral from your primary care health care provider. Look for a physician
who specializes in your condition. He or she should have experience giving
Botox treatments.
Risks
Botox injections are often safe when performed by an experienced health care
provider. But side effects and complications can happen.
If a side effect causes you problems or won't go away, talk to
your health care provider. Side effects include:
• Pain and bruising at the injection site.
• Headache.
• Increased body sweat.
• Itching.
• Nausea.
• Redness.
• Temporary drooping eyelids.
• Temporary muscle weakness.
• Upset stomach.
Side effects may happen hours to weeks after you receive Botox. Rarely, it is possible
that the effect of the toxin may spread to other parts of the body. This can cause:
• Loss of bladder control.
• Muscle weakness all over the body.
• Vision problems.
• Trouble breathing.
• Trouble speaking or swallowing.
Serious side effects are rare. They include:
• An allergic reaction, such as itching, hives, swelling,
chest tightness or trouble breathing.
• Blistering, peeling of your skin or severe rash.
• Chest pain, shortness of breath or uneven heart rate.
• Eye pain, bleeding or bruising around your eye.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2016, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 07/21/2016
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• Face or neck pain.
• Flu like symptoms.
• Seizures.
Call your health care provider immediately if you have any side effects after Botox
treatment. Do not use Botox when you are pregnant or breast feeding. The effects on
the baby are not known.
Summary
Botox injections work by weakening or paralyzing certain muscles. Botox blocks
chemical signals from nerves that cause muscles to contract. It can have therapeutic or
cosmetic effects, especially where muscles are chronically tight or spastic.
Botox Cosmetic can temporarily relax the facial muscles that cause wrinkles. Botox
can make them less noticeable.
Botox is used to treat several medical problems, including:
• Cervical dystonia.
• Chronic migraine.
• Excessive underarm sweating.
• Lazy eye.
• Muscle stiffness in the elbow, wrist and finger muscles.
• Twitching of the eyelids and uncontrollable
blinking.
Botox injections take about 10 to 15 minutes. They
are usually done in a health care provider's office.
You may experience mild pain with the injections,
but most people find it tolerable. You should be able
to resume your normal daily activities right after the
procedure. But, you may experience bruising or
other minor side effects from the injection.
You should see results within three to 10 days.
Wrinkles should disappear for up to three or four months. As time passes, the muscle
activity will gradually return to normal. Other areas may return to normal sooner or
later, depending on how much Botox was used.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2016, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 07/21/2016
rxf60101
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