Botox FAQ

·                     What is a BOTOX® Injection?

"BOTOX® injection" or "botox shot" is the term most widely used to describe the procedure of adminstering the Allergan BOTOX® Cosmetic treatement. BOTOX® injections utilize Botulinum Toxin Type A to treat wrinkles. BOTOX® Injections were originally slated to treat neurological disorders; today, BOTOX® injections are widely used to remove facial lines, especially frown lines, "crow's feet," and forehead lines.

·                     What is a BOTOX® treatment?

"BOTOX® treatments", or "BOTOX® injection treatments" are a therapeutic muscle-relaxing agent that works at motor nerve endings (nerves that lead to muscles). BOTOX®® Cosmetic is a drug used for the temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe glabellar lines (frown lines). These frown lines come from muscles called corrugator and/or procerus muscles. The BOTOX® injection treatment is the name used for the process of injecting the BOTOX® Cosmetic product into the patient.

BOTOX® injection treatments were approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for cosmetic use in April 2002. (It has been approved for the treatment of several medical conditions since 1989.) BOTOX® is a trade name for botulinum toxin A. BOTOX® is related to botulism.

BOTOX® injection treatments are successfully used to treat blepharospasm and strabismus, and BOTOX® treatments are also proven useful in treating cervical dystonia -- these are all conditions that in some way involve spasms, involuntary muscle contractions. Within a few hours to a couple of days after the botulinum toxin is injected into the affected muscle(s), the spasms or contractions are reduced or eliminated altogether. The effects of BOTOX® treatments are not permanent, reportedly lasting anywhere from three to eight months. By injecting the toxin directly into a certain muscle or muscle group, the risk of the BOTOX® injection treatments spreading to other areas of the body is greatly diminished.

When BOTOX® -- botulinum toxin A -- is injected into the muscles surrounding the eyes, for instance, those muscles can not "scrunch up" for a period of time. They are paralyzed. So the wrinkles in that area, often referred to as "crow's-feet," temporarily go away.

·                     What is BOTOX® Cosmetic?

BOTOX® Cosmetic is the product name for Allergans cosmetic wrikle removing drug. BOTOX® Cosmetic is a therapeutic muscle-relaxing agent that works at motor nerve endings (nerves that lead to muscles). BOTOX® Cosmetic is a drug used for the temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe glabellar lines (frown lines). These frown lines come from muscles called corrugator and/or procerus muscles. BOTOX® Cosmetic is the name used for the process of injecting the BOTOX® Cosmetic product into the patient.

In April of 2002 BOTOX® Cosmetic was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), following previous approvale for severe medical problems as afr back as 1989. BOTOX® Cosmetic is the trade mark that Allergan decided to use to refer to their botulinum toxin A product. BOTOX® injections are related to botulism.

BOTOX® treatments are successfully used to treat blepharospasm and strabismus, and BOTOX® cosmetic are also proven useful in treating cervical dystonia -- these are all conditions that in some way involve spasms, involuntary muscle contractions. Within a few hours to a couple of days after the botulinum toxin is injected into the affected muscle(s), the spasms or contractions are reduced or eliminated altogether. The effects of BOTOX® Cosmetic are not permanent, reportedly lasting anywhere from three to eight months. By injecting the toxin directly into a certain muscle or muscle group, the risk of BOTOX® Cosmetic spreading to other areas of the body is greatly diminished.

When BOTOX® Cosmetic -- botulinum toxin A -- is injected into the muscles surrounding the eyes, for instance, those muscles can not "scrunch up" for a period of time. They are paralyzed. So the wrinkles in that area, often referred to as "crow's-feet," temporarily go away.

·                      What are the side effects of BOTOX® treatment?

Typically the amount of BOTOX® and side effects and BOTOX® danger remains low. Any BOTOX® side effects can typically only last 6 months at a maximum, because BOTOX® treatments are temporary. People with neuromuscular disorders should consult with their physician carefully before having a BOTOX® injection treatment, as cardiovascular problems may arise. Likewise, those with cardiovascular disease should also pay special attention.

It is a natural response to assume there is some BOTOX® injection danger with a prosuct derived from a toxin, but it is in fact very safe, and has been is use for some time. It is always prudent to refview the BOTOX® injection side effects and procedure so that any BOTOX® injection danger is know and understood.

Some patients have been known to experience the side effects of BOTOX® of bruisng at the site of the injection. The most common BOTOX® side effects following the use of BOTOX® Cosmetic for glabellar lines are headache (13.3%), respiratory infection (3.5%), temporary eyelid droop (3.2%), nausea (3.0%), and flu syndrome (2.0%). Blepharoptosis is consistent with the pharmacologic action of BOTOX® Cosmetic and may be technique related. In rare occurences BOTOX® cosmetic can spread into neighboring muscles and cause temporary paralysis. In less that 1% of patients, this can cause drooping of the eyelid.

Less frequently side effects of BOTOX® occurring (<3%) adverse reactions included pain in the face, erythema at the injection site, and muscle weakness. These events are thought to be associated with the injection and occurred within the first week.

·                     How does BOTOX® Cosmetic work?

In laypersons terms, BOTOX® simply keeps the muscles that cause frown lines from contracting. This causes the skin to become smoother. Normally your brain sends electrical messages to your muscles so that they can contract and move. BOTOX® keeps that message from getting to the muscle that causes the wrinkles.

Technically, BOTOX®® Cosmetic is injected directly into the corrugator and procerus muscles. It then goes on to enter the nerve endings to block the release of acetylcholine, the chemical that causes muscles to contract. BOTOX®® works to block the release of acetylcholine and, as a result, the muscle doesn't receive the message to contract. Once the muscles are at rest, the skin becomes smoother, creating a more natural and relaxed appearance.

·                     Is BOTOX® Cosmetic safe for me?

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. Botox should not be used on patients who are pregnant, breastfeeding or have a neurologic disease. 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.

·                      How effective is BOTOX®® Cosmetic?

In a clinical study with BOTOX® Cosmetic, the majority of patients (82.5%) reported an improvement in glabellar lines after a week. Results were still reported up to 4 months later.

·                     How long does the BOTOX® injection procedure take, and how long to recover?

Performed in the office, the procedure takes about 10 minutes. Since the procedure is nonsurgical, no recovery time is needed. After BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment, you can get back to work or other activities right away.

·                     How long does BOTOX® last?

This depends entirely on the patient, but a single treatment of BOTOX® will normally be sustained for approximately three months. You will notice a gradual fading of its effects. At this point you will return to your doctor for your next treatment.

Usually, BOTOX® treatment is required only three or four times a year. Symptoms may vary throughout the course of the condition, and so the degree of relief and duration of effect varies from person to person. Consult your doctor, who has special knowledge about how to achieve the best possible results with BOTOX® for your individual case.

Acceptable safety in long-term treatment has been well established. With dosing specific to treat frown lines, this same product is now marketed as BOTOX® Cosmetic. However, formal clinical evaluations of long-term treatment have not been conducted.