If you are looking at treatment options for certain bladder problems, your doctor may suggestotulinumtoxinA. A prescription medication called botulinumtoxinA can be used to treat.

The detrusor muscle is the muscle that lines the bladder.

neurotoxins is a drug class. A drug class is a group of drugs that work in the same way.

Botox is only available as a brand-name medication. It’s not available in a biosimilar form. (Biosimilars are like generic drugs. But unlike generics, which are made for non-biologic drugs, biosimilars are made for biologic drugs such as Botox.)

Botox isn’t a first-choice medication for treating bladder problems. It’s used when anticholinergic drugs didn’t work well enough for someone’s condition.

This article gives details on Botox and its use in treating bladder problems. The drug also has other uses. To learn more about Botox, see this in-depth article.

In children and adults, botulinumotulinum can be used for bladder problems. It is used to treat.

The detrusor muscle is the muscle that lines the bladder.

About OAB and detrusor overactivity

“Problems with urination can be caused by OAB and detrusor overactivity. You may have bladder spasms even when you don’t need to urinate.”

The exact cause of OAB isn’t known. But some possible factors or causes may include:

Detrusor overactivity can be linked with neurological conditions such as MS or a spinal cord injury. These neurological conditions affect how your brain communicates with the rest of your body. In some cases, they can cause bladder problems such as detrusor overactivity.

What are the symptoms of bladder problems?

There are symptoms of bladder problems.

  • A sudden urge to urinate.
  • frequent urination
  • interrupted sleep because of nocturia (excessive urination at night)
  • urinary incontinence, which causes urine to leak uncontrollably

The side effects that have been reported in people using the drug are listed below. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the possible side effects of the drug.

You can also learn more about side effects from this in-depth Botox article or from the drug’s medication guide.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Botox, visit MedWatch.

What are Botox’s mild side effects?

The side effects ofotulinumtoxinA can vary depending on the condition it is being used to treat. Adults and children use the drug in different ways.

Mild side effects reported in people using Botox for overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms include:

Mild side effects have been reported in people using theotulinumtoxinA.

  • It is a urinary tract problem.
  • urinary retention

There are some mild side effects reported in children using theotulinumtoxinA.

  • It is a urinary tract problem.
  • There are organisms in the urine.
  • leukocytes (a type of blood cell) in the urine

Mild side effects from the drug can be temporary. Some side effects are easy to manage. If you have side effects that last for a long time, or if they become more severe, you should talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

The detrusor muscle is the muscle that lines the bladder.

What are Botox’s serious side effects?

There are rare cases where serious side effects from injections can occur.

There have been reports of serious side effects of injections.

  • Breathing problems or swallowing problems.
  • An injury to the spine can be fatal.
  • Spreading of toxins effects
  • allergic reaction

If you have any serious side effects while using the drug, call your doctor. If the side effects seem life threatening, or you think you have a medical emergency, call the emergency number.

* Botox has a boxed warning for this side effect. This is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see the “What should I know before using Botox?” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after using Botox. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in studies.

Botox treats certain bladder problems in adults and in children. To learn more about the specific conditions it’s used for, see the “What are the bladder conditions Botox treats?” section above.

Botox isn’t a first-choice medication for treating bladder problems. It’s used when anticholinergic drugs didn’t work well enough for someone’s condition.

How does Botox work?

Bladder control is promoted by the use of botulinum toxin.

The detrusor muscle is important in bladder control. The bladder can fill with urine when the muscle relaxes. The muscles contract to release urine when you urinate.

If you have an OAB symptom, your bladder muscles spasm involuntarily. The nerve signals to the detrusor muscle are blocked by the injection of the anti-wrinkle drug, botulinum Toshiba. This helps control the muscles.

Below are answers to some questions about the use ofotulinumtoxinA.

Are there any long-term side effects from using Botox to treat bladder problems?

You may have side effects within the first week of receiving the injections. Sometimes, these side effects can last for months or even years.

There are possible long-term side effects ofotulinumtoxinA.

If I want to use Botox to treat a bladder condition, will my insurance cover it?

It depends. Some insurance plans may cover the cost of the injections. If you have insurance, you should check with it to see if you are covered.

The “How much does Botox cost?” section is where you can find more information.

What can I expect after receiving Botox injections for my bladder problem?

You may have improved bladder control after receiving a Botox injection. Some people may have bladder control for a while. You will need more injections after this period because the effect of Botox wears off.

Your experience with injections may be different. If you have questions about the drug, you can talk to your doctor. The “How effective is Botox?” section is where you can find more information.

Botox has been shown to be an effective treatment option for bladder problems. In studies, people who received Botox injections for overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms saw improvements in certain symptoms, such as frequent urination, in the 12 weeks after treatment. People also noticed an increase in the amount released during urination.

Another improvement that people using Botox for OAB symptoms noticed after receiving the injections was fewer episodes of urinary incontinence. In studies, these improvements lasted from 19 to 24 weeks.

In other studies of Botox used for OAB symptoms in adults, people reported improvements in their symptoms and in their quality of life.

Two studies looked at adults who had urinary incontinence with detrusor overactivity* linked with a neurological condition. These studies found that people who received Botox injections had fewer episodes of urinary incontinence. These improvements lasted 42 to 48 weeks for at least half the people in the study.

If you have questions about the drug, you can talk to your doctor.

The detrusor muscle is the muscle that lines the bladder.

The bladder problems that are treated with the use of theotulinumtoxinA are:

“The detrusor muscle is the bladder’s lining. You will receive the injections at your doctor’s office.”

Your doctor will explain the procedure for getting theotulinumtoxinA. They will explain how often you need to receive the injections.

The detrusor muscle is the muscle that lines the bladder.

What is the typical dosage for Botox?

The dosages of Botox are used for bladder conditions. Your doctor will decide the right dose for you.

For OAB symptoms in adults, the recommended dose is 100 units of Botox. This is also the maximum recommended dose for treating this condition.

The recommended dose for adults with detrusor overactivity is 200 units of Botox. This is the maximum dose that should be used for this condition.

Children’s dosage

Children with a neurological condition are more likely to use the anti-wrinkle drug, called ombral. The weight of the child is used to determine the dose of the drug.

  • The dose is 200 units of Botox for children who weigh at least 75 pounds.
  • The recommended dose for children under 34 kilomes is 6 units of Botox for every kilomes of body weight. The doctor will calculate the appropriate dose for your child.

Note: Botox has other uses in addition to treating bladder problems. The dosage may be different for these other uses. To learn more, talk with your doctor.

How is Botox given?

The detrusor muscle is the part of the bladder that is not flexible.

Adults with OAB symptoms or children with detrusor overactivity will receive a Botox injection in 20 sites, located 1 cm apart in the detrusor muscle. Each dose is divided into 20 injection sites.

Adults with detrusor over activity will receive a higher dose of Botox, which is injected in 30 sites, located 1 cm apart in the detrusor muscle.

In some cases, your doctor may inject a medication before your injection to help with pain.

Your doctor will keep an eye on you for at least 30 minutes after each injection. If you are using theotulinumtoxinA to treat OAB symptoms, you need to show that you can urinate.

If you have questions about what to expect, you can talk to your doctor.

How often will I get Botox injections?

You may receive a lot of injections. You will need to track the symptoms of your bladder condition so that your doctor can determine how often you need the injections.

The minimum period between injections is 12 weeks, but in some cases, people feel the effects of the drug for longer periods. They may need injections less often.

If you have questions about how often you need to get a Botox injection, talk to your doctor.

There are some important information to keep in mind before using a drug. If you have a medical condition that affects your health, the drug may not be a good option. Some of these are mentioned.

Boxed warning: Spread of toxin effects

This drug has a boxed warning. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Receiving Botox injections can raise your risk for botulism. Botulism is a fatal condition that causes paralysis. In rare cases, Botox may spread away from where it’s injected to other parts of your body. This is known as botulism.

Symptoms of botulism may include:

  • Your body has weakness.
  • Double vision or blurred vision.
  • Your eyes are drooped.
  • Change in voice
  • Bladder control is lost.
  • Breathing problems or swallowing problems.

If you have any of the symptoms after receiving a Botox injection, you should call the emergency number or go to the hospital.

If you have questions about your risk for botulism, talk to your doctor.

What other warnings should I know about?

In addition to the boxed warning described above, Botox has other warnings. If any of the following medical conditions or other health factors apply to you, talk with your doctor before using Botox:

You may be interacting with other medications. Tell your doctor about all the drugs you use.

Tell your doctor if you do.

The price of Botox depends on several factors. These can include your treatment plan, your insurance plan, and your location. For estimates of how much Botox costs, visit WellRx.com.

Currently, Botox is only available as a brand-name medication. It’s not available in a biosimilar form. Biosimilars are like generic drugs, but they’re made for biologic drugs such as Botox. Like generics, biosimilars tend to cost less than the brand-name drug they’re based on.

“Talk to your doctor about using a drug. They can help you decide if it’s a good fit.”

Some questions you may want to ask your doctor.

Q:

Will I need to get the anti-wrinkle drug from my pharmacy?

Anonymous

A:

A: No. If your doctor prescribes the drug, it will be sent to your office. Specialty pharmacies are authorized to carry specialty medications. These drugs may be expensive or require help from healthcare professionals to be used safely.

To learn more about getting Botox from a specialty pharmacy, see this fact sheet provided by the manufacturer of Botox.

The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.