Botox

Botox is a drug made from a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It is a microbial toxin that causes a life-threatening type of food poisoning called botulism and it can be a medicine for many diseases and disorders, if used in therapeutic dosage. Botox is prescribed in conditions such as common headaches of unknown origin, migraine, sweating disorders, motor nerve problems and spasms. You should take botox only under close medical supervision. Most of the medical conditions need continuation of botox treatment in a regular interval.

Side effects and symptoms

Botox can cause side effects that are usually temporary, except the botox-induced allergic reaction.

• Headache
• Bruising that is usually temporary
• Drooping of eyelid
• Anaphylactic reactions
• Pain and/or itching in the site of injection

How it works

The mode of pharmacological action is either by weakening or paralyzing certain muscles or by blocking the actions of certain nerves. These effects will last about three to four months and the patient may need the botox re-treatment.

Diseases/disorders treatable by Botox

• Temporary removal of facial wrinkles.
• To prevent headaches in adults that last 4 or more hours, daily
• Severe underarm sweating
• Muscular spasms
• Cervical dystonia - a neurological disorder that causes severe neck and shoulder muscle contractions
• Upper motor neuron syndrome
• Upper limb spasticity
• Blepharospasm or uncontrollable blinking and Strabismus
• Chronic migraine
• Strabismus or misaligned eyes  

Contraindications 

Side effects can include pain at the injection site, flu-like symptoms, headache and upset stomach. Injections in the face may also cause temporary drooping eyelids. You should not get this shot,if you are pregnant or breast feeding.

Prognosis after Botox injection

Most of the symptoms are treatable by Botox injections and the cosmetic therapy of Botox for wrinkles is a temporary treatment and it needs continues treatment. The treatment of Strabismus and Blepharospasm may need once in three years injection of Botox. In general, this drug can improve the symptoms or delay the progression of the disease.

When to avoid

If you are a known patient of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease), myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome, as you may be at increased risk of serious side effects including severe dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and respiratory compromise (difficulty breathing)

When to see a doctor

If you feel abnormal weakness in hands, legs or in any of the muscles or severe headache or changes in bowel movement or difficulty in breathing or any abnormal allergic reactions after a Botox injection shot, you need to consult a physician right away.