What is botulinum toxin type A?
Botulinum toxin type A is made from the bacteria that causes botulism. Botulinum toxin blocks nerve activity in the muscles, causing a temporary reduction in muscle activity.
Botulinum toxin type A is used to treat cervical dystonia (severe spasms in the neck muscles), or severe underarm sweating (hyperhidrosis).
Botulinum toxin type A is also used to treat certain eye muscle conditions caused by nerve disorders. This includes uncontrolled blinking or spasm of the eyelids, and a condition in which the eyes do not point in the same direction.
Botulinum toxin type A is also used to temporarily lessen the appearance of facial wrinkles.
Botulinum toxin type A may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
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Precautions
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Instructions
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Side Effects
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Interactions
Precautions
You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to botulinum toxin, or if you have an infection, swelling, or muscle weakness in the area where the medicine will be injected.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely receive this medication.
- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or "Lou Gehrig's disease");
- myasthenia gravis;
- Lambert-Eaton syndrome; or
- heart disease.
Botulinum toxin type A is made using human plasma (part of the blood) and may contain viruses and other infectious agents that can cause disease. Although donated human plasma is screened, tested, and treated to reduce the risk of it containing anything that could cause disease, there is still a small possibility it could transmit disease. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medication.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether botulinum toxin is harmful to an unborn baby. Before you receive this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether botulinum toxin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not receive this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Avoid using underarm antiperspirants or deodorants for 24 hours after a botulinum toxin injection if you are being treated for excessive underarm sweating.
Avoid going back to your normal physical activities too quickly after receiving a botulinum toxin injection.
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Instructions
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have received too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include muscle weakness, trouble swallowing, and weak or shallow breathing.
Since botulinum toxin has a temporary effect and is given at widely spaced intervals, missing a dose is not likely to be harmful.
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Side Effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
The botulinum toxin contained in this medication can spread to other body areas beyond where it was injected. This has caused serious life-threatening side effects in some people receiving botulism toxin injections, even for cosmetic purposes.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects, some of which can occur up to several weeks after an injection:
- trouble breathing, talking, or swallowing;
- drooping eyelids;
- unusual or severe muscle weakness (especially in a body area that was not injected with the medication);
- loss of bladder control;
- problems with vision or depth perception;
- crusting or drainage from your eyes;
- severe skin rash or itching; or
- chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, general ill feeling.
Less serious side effects may include:
- muscle weakness near where the medicine was injected;
- bruising, bleeding, pain, or tenderness where the injection was given;
- headache, muscle stiffness, neck or back pain;
- fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, nausea, flu symptoms,
- dizziness, drowsiness, anxiety;
- dry mouth, dry eyes;
- increased sweating in areas other than the underarms;
- itchy or watery eyes, increased sensitivity to light; or
- eyelid swelling or bruising.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Interactions
Before you receive this medication, tell your doctor if you are also taking:
- an antibiotic such as amikacin (Amikin), gentamicin (Garamycin), kanamycin (Kantrex), neomycin (Mycifradin, Neo-Fradin, Neo-Tab), netilmicin (Netromycin), paromomycin (Humatin, Paromycin), streptomycin, tobramycin (Nebcin, Tobi).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with botulinum toxin type A. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
Other Names
Botox, Botox Cosmetic, and botulinum toxin type A
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Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version 2.05. Revision date 8/23/04
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