How long does Botox last for migraines?
Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) for migraine prevention lasts about 12 weeks for people who have a good response. You will visit your doctor 4 times per year for your treatment, or as directed.
Because Botox is an injection you receive every 12 weeks, you won’t have to remember to take a daily pill for migraine prevention.
If approved by your doctor, you can combine Botox with oral medications for acute migraine treatment to help reduce pain once a headache has already begun, if needed.
How long does it take for Botox to work for migraines?
When you first start Botox, you usually begin with 2 treatments sessions spaced 12 weeks apart. After your second session, you and your doctor will discuss your Botox treatment and how well it is working for your migraines.
If you are having a good response to Botox, you will continue your migraine treatment every 12 weeks (4 injection sessions per year), or as directed by your doctor.
On average, Botox prevents 8 to 9 headache or migraine days a month, compared to 6 to 7 days for a placebo (inactive) treatment. Your results may vary.
In clinical studies, some patients had migraine results as soon as 4 weeks. If Botox for migraine prevention works for you, you will usually see results after the second injection at 12 weeks.
- In 6-month long studies, patients continued to see reductions in their number of headache days over the study period.
- Botox also lowered the total length of time of headaches on days when they occurred over the 6-month study period, when Botox was compared to placebo.
Related questions
- Masseter Botox for Jaw Slimming: Benefits, Cost, Side Effects & Results
- How many units of Botox do I need and what will it cost?
- Where do they inject Botox for migraines?
Bottom Line
- Botox for migraine prevention lasts about 12 week for people who have a good response to treatment. You will visit your doctor 4 times per year for your treatment, or as directed.
- Because Botox is an injection you receive every 12 weeks, you won’t have to remember to take a daily pill for migraine prevention.
- If approved by your doctor, you can combine Botox with oral medications for acute migraine treatment to help reduce pain once a headache has already begun, if needed.
This is not all the information you need to know about Botox for safe and effective use for migraine. Review the full Botox information here, and discuss this information with your doctor or other healthcare provider.
References
- Botox [onabotulinumtoxinA] Product Information 7/2020. Allergan.Madison, NJ. Accessed Oct. 15, 2020 at https://media.allergan.com/actavis/actavis/media/allergan-pdf-documents/product-prescribing/20190620-BOTOX-100-and-200-Units-v3-0USPI1145-v2-0MG1145.pdf
- Botox Chronic Migraine.com, FAQs (online). Accessed Oct 14, 2020 at https://www.botoxchronicmigraine.com/botox-faq
Read next
Does Botox for migraines also help with wrinkles?
Botox Cosmetic is used for aesthetic purposes for wrinkles and Botox is used as a therapeutic treatment for different medical conditions, including migraine headache prevention. Botox Cosmetic and Botox come as separate products but are both prescription medicines that contain the active ingredient onabotulinumtoxinA. Continue reading
Daxxify vs Botox: Which should you use?
Both Daxxify (daxibotulinumtoxinA-lanm) and Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) are effective neuromodulators derived from botulinum toxin type A, designed to smooth dynamic wrinkles. Botox offers a long-established track record with results typically lasting 3-4 months. Daxxify represents a newer innovation, distinguished primarily by its longer duration of effect, often lasting 6 months or more, thanks to its unique peptide stabilizer.
Continue reading
What is Daxxify, the recent FDA-alternative to Botox?
Daxxify (daxibotulinumtoxinA-lanm) is the first Botox alternative that is free of human albumin or animal-based components, and it was FDA-approved in September 2022. It is also the longest-lasting of all the cosmetic injectable wrinkle treatments, lasting for 6 months in most people and 9 months in some. Continue reading
See also:
Related medical questions
- Xeomin vs Botox: How do they compare?
- How much does Botox cost?
- How many units of Botox are used for migraines?
- Jeuveau vs Botox: Which is best for you?
- Botox Vs Botox Cosmetic: What is the difference?
- How does Botox work for migraines?
- How does Botox (botulinum toxin) work?
- What is a Botox lip flip?
- Dysport vs Botox: What's the difference?
- What is botulinum toxin used to treat?
Drug information
- Botox Information for Consumers
- Botox prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Botox (detailed)
- Botox user reviews (481)
Related support groups
- Botox (32 questions, 161 members)