While many people think of cosmetic uses when thinking of BOTOX^® injections, BOTOX^® can also be used to treat pain. In fact, some medical experts believe that BOTOX^® is a better pain reliever than other traditional oral medicines (such as aspirin) because it has fewer associated side effects.

The Making of BOTOX^®

BOTOX^® is the brand name for botulinum toxin type A, a purified protein produced from a toxin that causes food poisoning. Although BOTOX^® is derived from a toxin, the injectable medication is safe when properly administered by a doctor.

FDA Approval for BOTOX^®

Although the medical community has found numerous uses for BOTOX^®, ranging from treatments for wrinkles to pain relief, BOTOX^® injections have only received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of:

• brow and forehead wrinkles
• crossed eyes (strabismus)
• eyelid spasms (blepharospasm)
• neck spasms (cervical dystonia).

BOTOX^® Injections for Migraines

One use that BOTOX® has not yet received FDA approval for is the treatment of migraines. However, various studies have found BOTOX® injections effective for the treatment of migraines and other headaches.

For the treatment of migraines, BOTOX^®:

• can be prescribed legally off-label to treat head pain
• causes less side effects than other oral migraine medications
• has been found to be over 80 percent effective in the treatment of headaches.

Keep in mind that many private insurers don't cover BOTOX® injections.

Head and Neck Pain Treatment with BOTOX^® Injections

BOTOX^® injections can also be used to treat soft tissue pain in the head and neck. Doctors state that BOTOX^® injections are most effective in the treatment of pain when used in conjunction with physical therapy.

BOTOX^® works by reducing the amount of neurotransmitters in your body to relax your muscles. Similarly, these injections dull the nervous system, producing a pain-killing effect.

BOTOX^® Side Effects and Complications

Studies and clinical trials have found that BOTOX^® side effects are rare and tend to occur less frequently than side effects from oral medications. When used for pain relief, BOTOX^® side effects include:

• eyebrow drooping
• eyelid drooping
• flu-like symptoms
• head pain
• nausea
• neck muscle weakness
• respiratory infections.

Like many treatments, BOTOX^® isn't appropriate for everyone. BOTOX^® is not recommended for patients who:

• are allergic to any of the ingredients in BOTOX^®
• are pregnant, are planning to get pregnant or are breastfeeding
• are taking specific medications (Patients should alert their doctors of all medications they are taking during their consultations.)
• have an infection at the needed site of the BOTOX^® injections
• have diseases affecting the nerves and muscles
• have neurological disorders.

The Effectiveness of BOTOX^® Injections

Along with having fewer associated side effects, BOTOX^® injections are also less expensive than traditional therapies used to treat chronic headaches. Overall, BOTOX^® injections are an effective method of pain relief.

In one study, patients received two to five BOTOX^® injections every three months. Many of these patients had tried and been failed by standard headache and migraine therapies.

During this study:

• About 80 percent of patients had a reduction in the frequency and/or the intensity of their headaches.
• Over 60 percent reported above average to excellent relief.
• Less than 20 percent experienced only minimal pain relief.
• Roughly 20 percent of the patients did not find relief from the BOTOX^® injections.

Although BOTOX^® injections do not help all patients treated, the use of BOTOX^® for pain relief is a viable solution for many.

Resources

About.com Medical Review Board (n.d.). Report: Botox for Head Pain, Largest Study Yet. Retrieved August 25, 2007, from the About.com Web site: http://headaches.about.com/cs/prevention/a/ahs03_botox.htm.

Botox Cosmetic (n.d.). Side Effects of Botox® Cosmetic. Retrieved August 25, 2007 from the Botox® Cosmetic Web site: http://botoxcosmetic.com/botox_safety/side_effects.aspx.

Lewis, Carol (2002, July-August). Botox Cosmetic: A Look at Looking Good. Retrieved August 26, 2007 from the FDA Web site: http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2002/402_botox.html.

Mayo Clinic (2007). Botulinum Toxin Type A (Intramuscular Route). Retrieved August 26, 2007, from the Mayo Clinic Web site: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-information/DR601801.

Mayo Clinic (2005). Chronic Migraine Patients May Find Relief in Botox Therapy. Retrieved August 25, 2007, from the Mayo Clinic Web site: http://www.mayoclinic.org/news2005-sct/2760.html.

UCLA Health (2005). Botox Eases Pain in Head and Neck. Retrieved August 25, 2007, from the UCLA Health System Web site:
http://www.uclahealth.org/body.cfm?xyzpdqabc=0&id=122&action=detail&ref=201.