BOTOX

Q. How long can I be treated with BOTOX®?

A. Treatment with BOTOX® can typically be repeated indefinitely. BOTOX® has been used for over 10 years worldwide. Acceptable safety in long-term treatment has been well established. There are a number of factors that can impact the long-term usage of BOTOX®. These include:


Appropriate muscle selection - Identifying and injecting the affected muscle can be difficult, complicated by the changing pattern of muscle involvement and progression of the disorder.
Adequate dosing - Changes in response may require dose adjustment.
Minimizing exposure to neurotoxin complex proteins1 - Botulinum toxins contain proteins. In certain circumstances, when foreign proteins enter the body, the natural response is to form antibodies to the protein. When antibodies are formed, the effect may be that one is no longer able to respond to the therapy. High doses and frequent injections of botulinum toxin have been linked to the formation of antibodies.Antibody formation with BOTOX® is rare. The likelihood of forming antibodies is reduced by having treatment no more frequently than about every three months. BOTOX® has only 5 ng of neurotoxin complex proteins per 100 unit vial, a relatively low amount of protein, which may help to further minimize the potential to form antibodies.

Q. Is BOTOX® a new treatment?

A. No. BOTOX® has been used for over 10 years in thousands of patients worldwide. The American Academy of Neurology, American Academy of Ophthalmology, and National Institutes of Health have recognized BOTOX® (Botulinum Toxin Type A) as a valuable treatment.

Q. Is BOTOX® right for me?

A. Ask your doctor if BOTOX® is the right treatment for you. BOTOX® should not be used during pregnancy, if you are nursing, or if you are taking certain medications. Only your physician can determine the best course of therapy.

The effects of BOTOX® may be increased with the use of certain antibiotics or other drugs that interfere with neuromuscular transmission. Ensure that your doctor is aware of any current medications you are taking. If you have any questions regarding the use of BOTOX® treatment, please consult your doctor.
Q. What side effects may be experienced when using BOTOX®?

A. All medications have some side effects. With BOTOX®, side effects are usually transient and mild to moderate in nature. Some people notice temporary weakness of muscles or discomfort at the injection site. Based on a recent study of BOTOX® in the treatment of blepharospasm, drooping of the eyelid occurred in 20.8% of patients. Other side effects may include eye irritation/dry eye/tearing/light sensitivity (10%), and superficial punctate keratitis.