Generic Name: onabotulinumtoxina (Injection route, Intradermal route, Intramuscular route)
on-a-bot-ue-LYE-num-tox-in-ay
The effects of onabotulinumtoxinA and all botulinum toxin products may spread from the area of injection to produce symptoms consistent with botulinum toxin effects. These symptoms have been reported hours to weeks after injection. Swallowing and breathing difficulties can be life threatening and there have been reports of death. The risk of symptoms is probably greatest in children treated for spasticity, but symptoms can also occur in adults, particularly in those patients who have underlying conditions that would predispose them to these symptoms. Cases of spread of effect have occurred at doses comparable to those used to treat cervical dystonia and at lower doses .
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Botox
- Botox Cosmetic
Available Dosage Forms:
- Powder for Solution
Therapeutic Class: Musculoskeletal Agent
Pharmacologic Class: Botulinum Toxin Type A
Uses For Botox Cosmetic
OnabotulinumtoxinA is used to treat certain eye conditions, such as blepharospasm (a condition where the eyelid will not stay open because of a muscle spasm) or strabismus (a condition where the eyes do not line up properly). This medicine is also used to treat the abnormal head position and neck pain that result from cervical dystonia (severe muscle spasms of the neck) and some types of axillary hyperhidrosis (severe sweating of the armpits). It is used for increased muscle stiffness in the elbow, wrist, and finger muscles in adults with upper limb spasticity. It is also used to prevent headaches in patients with chronic migraine (severe headaches for 15 or more days a month lasting 4 or more hours a day). OnabotulinumtoxinA is used cosmetically to improve the appearance of deep facial lines or wrinkles between the eyebrows (glabellar lines). It is also used to treat urinary incontinence (loss of bladder control) in patients with an overactive bladder caused by nervous system disorders (e.g., multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury).
OnabotulinumtoxinA is a botulinum toxin A product. It works on the nervous system to relax the muscles.
OnabotulinumtoxinA is injected into the muscles that are affected. Depending on your condition, more than one treatment may be required.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription and will be administered by your doctor.
Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, onabotulinumtoxinA is used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:
- Frey's syndrome or gustatory sweating (red areas and sweating on the cheeks and ears after eating).
- Palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis (severe sweating of the palms and feet).
- Spasms of the arms in stroke patients.
- Spasms of the face.
- Spasms of the feet and hands, including writer's cramp.
- Spasms of the arms and legs in patients with multiple sclerosis.
Before Using Botox Cosmetic
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of onabotulinumtoxinA in children. However, safety and effectiveness have not been established in children younger than 12 years of age for blepharospasm or strabismus, or in children younger than 16 years of age for cervical dystonia, or in children younger than 18 years of age for chronic migraine, hyperhidrosis, upper limb spasticity, and urinary incontinence caused by an overactive bladder. Use of onabotulinumtoxinA to treat glabellar lines is not recommended in children.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of onabotulinumtoxinA in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related liver, kidney, or heart problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving onabotulinumtoxinA.
Pregnancy
| Pregnancy Category | Explanation | |
|---|---|---|
| All Trimesters | C | Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women. |
Breast Feeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Interactions with Medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease) or
- Dermatochalasis (a skin problem) or
- Lambert-Eaton syndrome (nerve-muscle disorder) or
- Motor neuropathy (muscle or nerve problem) or
- Myasthenia gravis (severe muscle weakness) or
- Sebaceous skin, thick (oily or fatty skin) or
- Surgery on the face, history of—May increase risk for more serious side effects.
- Bleeding problems or
- Breathing problems (e.g., asthma or emphysema) or
- Dysarthria (trouble with speaking) or
- Dysphagia (trouble with swallowing) or
- Dysphonia (voice problem) or
- Heart attack, recent or history of or
- Heart disease or
- Heart rhythm problems or
- Lung problems (e.g., bronchitis) or
- Ptosis (droopy eyelid) or
- Urinary incontinence (problems passing urine)—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
- Infection at the injection site or
- Urinary retention (not able to urinate) or
- Urinary tract infection—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.
Proper Use of onabotulinumtoxina
This section provides information on the proper use of a number of products that contain onabotulinumtoxina. It may not be specific to Botox Cosmetic. Please read with care.
Your doctor will give you this medicine in a hospital or clinic. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin or into one of your muscles.
You may be given medicine to numb the area where the shot will be injected. If you receive the medicine around your eyes, you may be given eye drops or ointment to numb the area. After your injection, you may need to wear a protective contact lens or eye patch.
If you are treated for excessive sweating, shave your underarms but do not use deodorant for 24 hours before your injection. Avoid exercise, hot foods or liquids, or anything else that could make you sweat for 30 minutes before your injection.
This medicine works slowly. For neck disorders, you should have improvement within 2 to 6 weeks after your injection. For upper arm stiffness, you should have improvement within 4 to 6 weeks after your injection. Eyelid disorders should improve within 3 days to 2 weeks after your injection. Strabismus should improve within 1 or 2 days after the injection, and the improvement should last for 2 to 6 weeks. Once your condition has improved, the medicine will last about 3 months, then the effects of the medicine will slowly go away. You might need more injections when the effects of the medicine wear off. The recommended re-treatment schedule for chronic migraine is every 12 weeks.
This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.
Your doctor will only use onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox® or Botox® Cosmetic) to treat your condition. Other botulinum toxin products may not work the same way and require a different dose.
Precautions While Using Botox Cosmetic
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to receive it.
Serious muscle reactions have occurred within hours to weeks after receiving this medicine. If you start to have muscle weakness, loss of bladder control, or trouble with swallowing, talking, or breathing, call your doctor right away. In some patients, these problems could be life-threatening and may require an immediate treatment in a hospital or clinic.
This medicine may make your muscles weak and cause vision problems (such as bleeding inside the eye). Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you feel weak or are not able to see well.
This medicine may reduce blinking of the eye which can lead to an increased risk of eye problems (such as corneal exposure and ulcers). Tell your doctor right away if you have a reduced blinking of the eye.
This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash; itching; hoarseness; trouble breathing; trouble swallowing; or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you are using this medicine.
After you have received this medicine and your vision or muscle spasms are better, you may find that you are a lot more active than you were before. You should slowly increase your activities to allow time for your body to get stronger. Also, before you start an exercise program, check with your doctor.
This medicine may increase your chances of having bronchitis or upper respiratory tract infections when given for upper limb spasticity. Tell your doctor right away if you have trouble breathing, sneezing, sore throat, coughing, or fever.
This medicine may cause a condition called autonomic dysreflexia in patients with nervous system disorders (such as spinal cord injury). It can be a life-threatening condition and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have headache; increased sweating; slow heartbeat; warmth or redness in your face, neck, or arm; or have problems in urinating while using this medicine.
One part of this medicine is made from donated human blood. Some human blood products have transmitted certain viruses to people who have received them. The risk of getting a virus from medicines made of human blood has been greatly reduced in recent years. This is the result of required testing of human donors for certain viruses, and required testing during the manufacture of these medicines. Although the risk is low, talk with your doctor if you have concerns.
Botox Cosmetic Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
- Difficulty with swallowing
- Difficulty with breathing or speaking
- muscle weakness
- Dryness of the eyes
- inability to close the eyelids completely
- Bladder pain
- bloody or cloudy urine
- difficult, burning, or painful urination
- frequent urge to urinate
- lower back or side pain
- Decreased blinking
- irritation of the cornea (colored portion) of the eyes
- turning outward or inward of the edge of the eyelids
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common—for blepharospasm
- Blue or purplish bruise on the eyelids
- drooping of the upper eyelids
- irritation or watering of the eyes
- sensitivity of the eyes to light
- Body aches or pain
- chills
- cough, fever, sneezing, or sore throat
- ear congestion
- headache
- loss of voice
- nasal congestion
- neck pain
- runny nose
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- Neck pain
- Body aches or pain
- chills
- congestion
- cough
- diarrhea
- dryness or soreness of the throat
- fear
- fever
- general feeling of discomfort or illness
- headache
- heavy bleeding from the place where shot was given
- itching skin
- joint pain
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- nervousness
- painful or difficult urination
- runny nose
- shivering
- sweating
- tender, swollen glands in the neck
- trouble sleeping
- trouble swallowing
- voice changes
- vomiting
- Drooping of the upper eyelid
- eye pointing upward or downward instead of straight ahead
- Muscle weakness
- pain in the arms
- Skin rash
- swelling of the eyelid skin
- Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
- blurred vision
- body aches or pain
- cough producing mucus
- difficulty breathing
- dizziness
- drooping of the upper eyelid
- headache
- muscle aches and pains
- nervousness
- pounding in the ears
- shortness of breath
- slow or fast heartbeat
- tightness in the chest
- wheezing
- Difficulty finding the location of objects
- double vision
- Cough producing mucus
- difficulty breathing
- nausea
- shortness of breath
- tightness in the chest
- weakness
- wheezing
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Botox Cosmetic side effects (in more detail)
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More Botox Cosmetic resources
- Botox Cosmetic Side Effects (in more detail)
- Botox Cosmetic Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Botox Cosmetic Drug Interactions
- Botox Cosmetic Support Group
- 4 Reviews for Botox Cosmetic - Add your own review/rating
- Botox Cosmetic MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Botox Cosmetic Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Botox Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Botox Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Botox MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Botox Consumer Overview
- OnabotulinumtoxinA Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)
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