There are a variety of uses for the brand-name prescription medication onabotulinumtoxinA. If you have one of the conditions that is treated with the drug, your doctor may recommend it.

This article describes Botox’s use for medical purposes. To learn more about the drug’s use for cosmetic reasons, check out this article.

The drug is used.

Depending on the condition being treated, the injection of theotulinumtoxinA is given into different parts of the body. The doctor or healthcare professional will give you injections. You will get a Botox injection every 12 weeks.

For more information about Botox, including a full list of conditions it’s used to treat and its limitations, see this in-depth article on the drug.

Mild or serious side effects can be caused by the drug. Continue reading to learn more.

Side effects of Botox can vary depending on which condition the drug is being used to treat. Below are some of the more common side effects reported by people who used Botox in studies.

More common side effects in adults using Botox for migraine include:

  • The neck hurts.
  • headaches

More common side effects in adults using Botox for axillary hyperhidrosis include:

  • Bleeding at the injection site is a symptom of pain.
  • sweating in other parts of the body

More common side effects in people using Botox for limb spasticity include:

More common side effects in adults using Botox for cervical dystonia include:

  • swallowing trouble
  • The common cold It is an infectious diseases are upper respiratory It is an infectious diseases.

More common side effects in adults and children using Botox for blepharospasm or strabismus include:

More common side effects in people using Botox for bladder problems include:

See the side effects explained below for more information.

Mild side effects have been reported withotulinumtoxinA used for any condition.

  • Injection site reaction
  • There is weakness close to where the injection is done.
  • Flu-like symptoms include achy muscles and a high temperature.

Other mild side effects of Botox can vary depending on which condition the drug is being used to treat. Here are some examples of mild side effects reported by people who received Botox for different conditions in studies.

Mild side effects in adults using Botox for migraine include:

Mild side effects in people using Botox for axillary hyperhidrosis include:

  • sweating in other parts of the body
  • sore throat.
  • headaches
  • There is There is neck or back pain..
  • It was itching.

Mild side effects in people using Botox for limb spasticity include:

Mild side effects in people using Botox for cervical dystonia include:

  • The common cold It is an infectious diseases are upper respiratory It is an infectious diseases.
  • There is There is neck or back pain..
  • headaches
  • dizziness
  • The mouth is dry.

There are some mild side effects of taking a drug.

Mild side effects in people using Botox for strabismus include:

  • The eyelid is drooped.

Mild side effects in people using a drug for bladder problems.

See the side effects explained below for more information.

“These side effects should be temporary. Some may be easy to manage. If you have any symptoms that bother you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Unless your doctor recommends it, don’t stop using theotulinumtoxinA.”

Botox may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. See the Botox medication guide for details.

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.

There have been serious side effects with the drug.

If you develop serious side effects while taking the drug, call your doctor. If the side effects seem life threatening or if you think you have a medical emergency, immediately call the emergency number.

* Botox has a boxed warning for this risk. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
† To learn more about this side effect, see “Side effects explained” below.

The most common side effects reported in adults using Botox for chronic (long-term) migraine include:

  • The neck hurts.
  • headaches
  • The eyelid is drooped.
  • There are pains and muscle aches.
  • muscle weakness
  • There is pain at the injection site.

There are other less common side effects reported in adults using Botox.

If you have questions about the side effects of taking a drug to treat a disease, talk to your doctor.

See the side effects explained below for more information.

Learn about the side effects ofotulinumtoxinA.

Headache

Some people may have a headache after receiving Botox injections. In studies, headache was common in people using Botox for migraine, axillary hyperhidrosis, or cervical dystonia. This side effect wasn’t reported in people who used Botox for other conditions.

What might help

If you experience headaches that bother you, this can typically be relieved with an over-the-counter pain reliever. Examples include acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Ibu-Tab, Motrin). You can ask your pharmacist to recommend a medication that’s safe for you.

Alcohol can cause headaches during your treatment.

If you have had a Botox injection, you should not rub or massage your head, neck, or shoulders. If you rub or massage a Botox injection site, you can increase the risk of the toxin spreading. The section below will show you more about this.

Spread of toxin effects

Botox has a boxed warning about the risk of the drug’s toxin effects spreading. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Botox can sometimes spread from the area where the injections are given. This can cause a serious condition called botulism.

After receiving a Botox injection, botulism can occur for hours, days or even weeks. Symptoms of botulism can include:

The spread of toxin effects is rare, but it may be more likely to occur in people receiving Botox for limb spasticity, especially children.

The spread of toxin effects hasn’t been reported in people using recommended doses of Botox for migraine, excessive sweating, blepharospasm or strabismus. To learn more, see the drug’s prescribing information.

What might help

Rub or massage the area where you had the injections for a few days after. This will help prevent the toxin from being spread.

If you have symptoms of botulism after receiving aotulinumtoxinA, call your doctor immediately. You may need to be in a hospital.

If you have trouble breathing, swallowing or speaking after having a Botox injection, you need to get medical help right away. If you feel life threatening, call the emergency number.

You shouldn’t drive if you have symptoms such as blurred or Double vision., The eyelid is drooped., dizziness, or muscle weakness.

If you have questions about your risk for the spread of toxins, talk to your doctor.

Injection site reaction

Some people may experience reactions at the site where Botox injections are given. In studies, this side effect was reported in people who received Botox to treat migraine, axillary hyperhidrosis, limb spasticity, and cervical dystonia.

There are symptoms of injection site reactions.

  • It is either tenderness or pain.
  • There is redness or discoloration.
  • It was bruised.
  • swelling
  • There was bleeding.
  • It is an infectious disease

Injection site reactions can occur in a week. They usually improve in a few days. They can last longer in some cases.

What might help

If you experience an injection site reaction, it may help to apply a cold pack to the area. This can help reduce any pain, swelling, or It was bruised.. You should avoid rubbing or massaging the area where you had the injections for a few days after receiving Botox. This will help avoid spreading the toxin into other areas. (See “Spread of toxin effects” directly above to learn more.)

If you have an injection site reaction that lasts for a long time, talk to your doctor. They may be able to suggest ways to manage this side effect.

Urinary retention

Botox can cause urinary retention when it’s used to treat bladder problems such as urinary incontinence (loss of bladder control) or overactive bladder.

“You can’t empty your bladder on your own with urinary retention. This can cause symptoms.”

  • It feels like you need to urinate.
  • urinating
  • burning sensation when urinating

In studies, urinary retention was commonly reported in adults receiving Botox injections to treat bladder problems. People with diabetes or multiple sclerosis may have a higher risk for urinary retention with Botox.

Urinary retention wasn’t reported in children receiving Botox injections for bladder problems. But these studies only involved children who were already using a catheter to empty their bladder.

What might help

To treat urinary retention, you have to insert a catheter into your bladder. If you are willing to have a catheter inserted, you should only use theotulinumtoxinA to treat bladder problems.

Your doctor will check you for urinary retention after you receive a Botox injection. They will usually do this by taking an abdominal Scan after you have urinated. This gives an estimate of the amount of urine that is still in your bladder after you have urinated. Your doctor may keep an eye on you for up to 12 weeks.

If you have any symptoms of urinary retention, call your doctor. If you have urinary retention, you may need a temporary catheter to empty your bladder.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Botox can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Allergic reactions occurred in clinical trials, but it’s not known how often they occurred.

Mild or serious symptoms can be present.

  • There is a skin rash.
  • It is itchy.
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • “It’s swelling under your skin, usually in your lips, hands, or feet.”
  • It can be hard to breathe if you have swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest an over-the-counter oral antihistamine, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine), or a topical product, such as hydrocortisone cream, to manage your symptoms.

If your doctor confirms you had an allergic reaction to the drug, they will decide if you should continue using it.

If you have a severe allergic reaction, you should call the emergency number. These symptoms could be life threatening and need immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you had a serious allergic reaction to Botox, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

Keep notes on any side effects you have during your treatment. You can share this information with your doctor. This is helpful when you are starting to use a combination of treatments.

Side effect notes can include things.

  • What dose of drug did you take when you had the side effect?
  • How soon after starting that dose did you experience side effects?
  • What were your symptoms after the side effect?
  • How did it affect your daily activities?
  • What other drugs were you taking?
  • Other information is important to you.

Sharing notes with your doctor will help him learn more about how this drug affects you. If needed, your doctor can use this information to adjust your treatment plan.

Here are answers to questions about the side effects of the drug.

Does Botox cause any long-term side effects?

Yes. Some side effects ofotulinumtoxinA can be long term.

There are possible long-term side effects ofotulinumtoxinA.

  • urinary retention (not being able empty your bladder on your own) in people taking Botox for bladder problems
  • corneal ulceration (open sore on the front of the eye) in people taking Botox for blepharospasm

If you are concerned about long-term side effects with the drug, talk to your doctor.

When do side effects from Botox typically go away?

The effects of the injection wear off after a few days or weeks. Depending on the condition being treated, the side effect, and how your body reacts to the drug, this may vary.

If you have side effects that are troublesome or that last for a long time, talk to your doctor.

Could Botox cause any side effects that affect my brain?

“No, the side effects ofotulinumtoxinA aren’t known to affect the brain.”

The toxin effects of Botox can sometimes spread from the area where the injections are given,* causing a condition called botulism. This condition involves widespread problems with the way nerves communicate with muscles. But this doesn’t affect the brain.

If you are concerned about the effects of Botox on your brain, you should talk to your doctor.

* Botox has a boxed warning about this risk. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Some children are given a drug calledotulinumtoxinA.

  • treat blepharospasm (uncontrollable blinking or twIt was itching. of the eyelid)
  • treat strabismus
  • treat upper or lower limb spasticity
  • treat neurogenic detrusor overactivity (overactive bladder caused by a nerve problem)

In studies, side effects of Botox in children with blepharospasm or strabismus were similar to those seen in adults who used Botox for these conditions. The most common side effect is The eyelid is drooped..

Children with spasticity or an over use bladder may have slightly different side effects than adults.

For example, in studies, upper respiratory It is an infectious disease (such as the common cold) were more common in children than in adults who took Botox for limb spasticity. Upper respiratory It is an infectious diseases are the most common side effect in children who use Botox for this condition.

The most common side effect in children and adults using Botox for bladder problems was urinary tract It is an infectious disease (UTI). Urinary retention (not being able empty your bladder on your own) was also common in adults receiving Botox for bladder problems.

Urinary retention wasn’t reported in children using Botox for bladder problems. But in these studies, children receiving Botox for this condition were already regularly using a catheter to empty their bladder.

“Talk to your child’s doctor about the possible side effects of Botox.”

This drug has several warnings.

Boxed warning: Risk of spread of toxin effects

Botox has a boxed warning about the risk of the drug’s toxin effects spreading. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Botox can sometimes spread from the area where the injections are given. This can cause a serious condition called botulism. To learn more, see the “Side effects explained” section above.

Other warnings

If you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health, it may not be right for you to use the botulinumtoxinA. Before you take the anti-wrinkle drug, you should talk to your doctor. The list has factors to consider.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to Botox or any of its ingredients, you shouldn’t be given Botox. Ask your doctor what other medications are better options for you.

Infection at the injection site. You shouldn’t receive Botox if you have a skin It is an infectious disease at any of your planned injection sites. Your treatment will be delayed until the It is an infectious disease gets better. Your doctor can determine if you need medication to treat the It is an infectious disease.

Urinary tract It is an infectious disease (UTI). If you’re taking Botox to treat a bladder problem, you shouldn’t receive injections if you have a UTI. Your treatment will be delayed until the It is an infectious disease gets better. Your doctor can also determine if you need medication to treat the It is an infectious disease. If you get UTIs often, talk with your doctor about whether Botox is right for you.

Urinary retention. Botox can cause urinary retention (not being able empty your bladder on your own) when used to treat bladder problems. If you already have urinary retention, you shouldn’t receive Botox to treat bladder problems. (But if you already use a catheter to empty your bladder, this warning doesn’t apply.) If you have trouble emptying your bladder, talk with your doctor about whether Botox is right for you.

Neuromuscular disorders. If you have a neuromuscular disorder, such as amyloid lateral sclerosis (ALS), Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome, or myasthenia gravis, you may have a higher risk for certain side effects with Botox. Examples of these side effects include muscle weakness, The eyelid is drooped., Double vision., and “It’s difficult speaking.”, swallowing, or breathing. If you have a neuromuscular disorder, talk with your doctor about whether Botox is right for you. If you do use this drug, your doctor may want to monitor you more closely during your treatment.

Breathing or swallowing problems. Botox can sometimes spread from the area where it’s injected and cause trouble breathing or swallowing. These problems can be life threatening, especially if you already have problems with breathing or swallowing. Talk with your doctor about whether this treatment is right for you.

Planned surgery. Certain medications that may be used during surgery could raise your risk for side effects from Botox. If you have any surgeries planned, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to receive Botox around the time of your surgery.

Alcohol and Botox

It is safe to drink alcohol during your treatment. It is possible that doing so will raise your risk for certain side effects.

If you drink alcohol, talk to your doctor about how much you can drink during your treatment.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Botox

It is not known if it is safe to have a baby with aBotanical agent. It is not known if breast milk can be affected byotulinumtoxinA or if a child who is breastfed can be affected.

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant, you should talk to your doctor about whether you should use Botox.

For certain conditions, botulinum toxin can be an effective treatment. It is possible to have side effects with the drug.

If you are considering using aotulinumtoxinA to treat your condition, talk to your doctor about the possible side effects. This can help you decide if this treatment is right for you. You might want to ask some questions.

  • Do I have a higher risk than others for certain serious side effects, such as swallowing problems or breathing?
  • Should I stop getting the injections if I get side effects?
  • What could happen if I get pregnant during my treatment?

If you use Botox for migraine, you can sign up for one of our newsletters that addresses this condition. You can also visit the Bezzy migraine community for resources on managing your condition.

Q:

Is it possible that other medications could increase my risk for side effects withotulinumtoxinA?

Anonymous

A:

Yes, some drugs may increase your risk for side effects from Botox. Examples of these medications include certain antibiotics, anticholinergics, muscle relaxers, and drugs that block nerve signals to your muscles.

It is important to tell your doctor about all the drugs you take. They can determine if any of these drugs could cause side effects.

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.