Generic Name: OnabotulinumtoxinA Injection (oh nuh BOT yoo lin num TOKS in aye)
Brand Name: Botox

Medically reviewed on July 4, 2018

Uses of Botox:

• It is used to lower underarm sweating.
• It is used to prevent migraine headaches.
• It is used to treat muscle problems around the eye.
• It is used to treat muscle problems that lead to spasms.
• It is used to treat spasms of the neck.
• It is used to treat an overactive bladder.
• It is used to treat bladder spasms.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Botox?

For all uses of Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA injection):

• If you have an allergy to onabotulinumtoxinA, albumin, or any other part of Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA injection).
• If you are allergic to any drugs like this one, any other drugs, foods, or other substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had, like rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
• If you have an infection where the shot will be given.

For loss of bladder control:

• If you have a urinary tract infection.
• If you have trouble passing urine.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA injection).

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA injection) with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Botox?

For all uses of Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA injection):

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA injection). This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Talk with your doctor if you have had a botulinum toxin product in the last 3 or 4 months.
• Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert or have clear eyesight until you see how Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA injection) affects you.
• Do not switch between different forms of Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA injection) without first talking with the doctor.
• When Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA injection) has been used for reasons it has not been approved for, very bad side effects like feeling very weak and trouble swallowing have happened. Sometimes, these very bad side effects have been deadly. Most of the time, people already had trouble swallowing or other health problems. Talk with the doctor.
• This medicine is made from human plasma (part of the blood) and may have viruses that may cause disease. This medicine is screened, tested, and treated to lower the chance that it carries an infection. Talk with the doctor.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA injection) while you are pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.

For loss of bladder control:

• If you are 65 or older, use Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA injection) with care. You could have more side effects.

How is this medicine (Botox) best taken?

Use Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA injection) as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• This medicine will be given to you by a doctor.
• It is given as a shot into the muscle(s) causing the spasms.
• It may be given as a shot into the skin near the parts where there is sweating.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Call the doctor for an office visit.

See also: Dosage Information (in more detail)

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

For all uses of Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA injection):

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of infection like fever, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or wound that will not heal.
• Trouble swallowing or speaking.
• Very bad muscle pain or weakness.
• Change in eyesight, eye pain, or very bad eye irritation.
• Seeing double.
• Eyelid droop.
• Drooping eyebrows.
• Dizziness or passing out.

For loss of bladder control:

• Signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI) like blood in the urine, burning or pain when passing urine, feeling the need to pass urine often or right away, fever, lower stomach pain, or pelvic pain.
• Trouble passing urine.

What are some other side effects of Botox?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Irritation where the shot is given.
• Neck pain.
• Headache.
• Less blinking.
• Dry eyes.
• Dry mouth.
• Cough.
• Flu-like signs.
• Back pain.
• Runny nose.
• Feeling tired or weak.
• Mild fever.
• Upset stomach.
• Feeling sleepy.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

See also: Side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Botox?

• If you need to store Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA injection) at home, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.

Consumer information use

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Keep a list of all your drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your doctor.
• Talk with the doctor before starting any new drug, including prescription or OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
• This medicine comes with an extra patient fact sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it with care. Read it again each time Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA injection) is refilled. If you have any questions about Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA injection), please talk with the doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer