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BOTOX® Injections as an Alternative Method of Pain Relief

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.

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® 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. 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.