Botox
(onabotulinumtoxinA)
Prevents headaches in people with chronic migraines and treats various other problems such as muscle spasms, wrinkles, and excessive sweating.
Our bottom line
Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) is a prescription medicine that's good at treating many conditions, but it has potentially dangerous side effects.
- Drug class: Musculoskeletal
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: No lower cost generic available
Upsides
- Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) can prevent migraines before they even start.
- Since Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) only prevents migraines, you can continue to take other medicines to lower pain once a migraine has already started, unless your doctor has given you other instructions.
- You may start to feel results in a few days to a few weeks, depending on what you're using it for.
- Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) isn’t a daily or weekly medication. Depending on your condition, you only need to take it every couple months.
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What to expect from Botox, on one page
Download Fact SheetDownsides
- Only comes as an injection.
- Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) works by weakening your muscles, which can cause swallowing, speaking, or breathing problems. Tell your doctor if you already have these problems before injection. If you develop these problems after injection, call your doctor or go to the emergency room right away.
- If you take Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) for chronic migraines, it’s unknown if it’s safe or will work for adults who have 14 or fewer headache days each month.
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What to expect from Botox, on one page
Download Fact SheetBotox (onabotulinumtoxinA) is a toxic protein made by bacteria (Clostridium botulinum type A). It works by temporarily weakening nerve activity in the muscle for up to several months.
- Drug class: Musculoskeletal
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: No lower cost generic available
Used for
- Chronic migraines
- Excessive sweating
- Neck muscle spasms
Dosage forms
- Injection
Prices and coupons
Skip prices section. Skip to what to expect section.- Medicine ShoppeGet free coupon$1231.53
- AlbertsonsGet free coupon$1235.54
What to expect when you take Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) for Chronic migraines
Skip what to expect section. Skip to side effects section.- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Effectiveness
- Full effects
- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Possible side effects
- Neck pain
- Muscle weakness
Side effect rates for Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA)
- Neck pain9%9%3%3%
- Headache5%5%3%3%
- Migraine4%4%3%3%
- Drooping eyelids4%4%
- Stiffness in bones, joints, muscles4%4%1%1%
- Muscle weakness4%4%
- Bronchitis3%3%2%2%
- Muscle pain3%3%1%1%
- Pain in bones, joints, muscles3%3%1%1%
- Injection site pain3%3%2%2%
- Facial paralysis2%2%
- Muscle spasms2%2%1%1%
- High blood pressure2%2%1%1%
The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Botox.
People taking Botox felt side effect more
People taking Botox felt side effect less
Risks and Warnings for Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA)
Skip risks section. Skip to common concerns section.- Higher risk if:
- › Child using Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) for spasticity
- › Using Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) for uncontrollable neck spasms
- › Adult using Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) for spasticity
Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) toxin can spread from the area of injection to cause a serious condition called botulism. This can happen hours to weeks after an injection. Symptoms of botulism include weakness, double vision, drooping eyelids, trouble swallowing, slurred speech, loss of bladder control, and breathing difficulties. If this occurs, tell your doctor right away.
This is a black box warning. The FDA requires this warning when there is a significant risk of serious or life-threatening effects that anyone taking the drug should consider.
Common concerns from people taking Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA)
Final section. Do you want to return to drug navigation?- People taking Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) for an overactive bladder might develop a urinary tract infection, or be unable to completely empty their bladder. Tell your doctor if you have trouble urinating, painful urination, or burning with urination.