What You Should Know About Migraines and Botox
Botox is an FDA-approved medication for treating chronic migraines that last 15 days or more a month. For patients suffering from severe migraine symptoms, Botox has been reported with incredible success. It has relieved many muscle contractions that control the nerve endings that communicate with the brain’s network. Our neurologists provide Botox treatment as an effective form of long-term migraine relief.
How It Relieves Migraines
Botox is a medical substance created from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum toxin. When purified of its bacterial substances, it creates a neurotoxin complex injected in small doses into the areas of the neck and forehead, weakening the muscle contractions and blocking the nerve signals. Botox specifically blocks the chemical messenger called acetylcholine from attaching to the never endings that meet with the muscle cells. For patients who receive Botox as a migraine treatment, the treatment:
- Last for 10-12 weeks with one initial dose
- Reduces migraines by approximately 50% with multiple treatments
- Treats people 18 or older, and is used as an “off-label” treatment in adolescents
- Takes up to 6 months for patients to see maximum results from the treatment
Indications for Migraine Treatment
According to the FDA, The FDA has approved Botox’s use for the prophylaxis of headaches in adult patients with chronic migraine with more than 15 days per month with headaches lasting 4 hours a day or longer. However, Botox’s safety and effectiveness have not been established for the prophylaxis of episodic migraine fewer than 14 days per month. For medical physicians administering Botox, the recommended total dose is 155 Units, with 0.1 mL (5 Units) injections per each site divided across the seven head/neck muscles. Chronic migraines can occur as a placebo effect from Botox treatment, and for pediatric use, the safety and effectiveness of chronic migraine treatment with Botox have not been established.
For the approval of Botox treatment, please check with your insurance company to verify that Botox can be treated for your specific neurological condition.
What is the process at Premier Neurology Center?
Facts vs. Myth
At Premier Neurology Center, our Botox injections for chronic migraines are administered by our neurologists Dr. Kashouty and Dr. Yono. During your appointment, the areas to be injected will be cleaned and treated with an anesthetic spray application to numb the skin around the neck muscles and forehead. The injection will be mixed with saline and then injected into the site. The number of Botox injections will vary based on the evaluation and severity of the migraine. Botox offers pain relief for extended periods that aren’t always provided with topical and oral medications when treating chronic migraines.
- Botox provides gradual relief from migraines
- Does not override migraine triggers
- Is an approved medication by the FDA
- Can be administered to people who experience severe migraines lasting 15 days or more
The Botox procedure takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes to complete, and normal activities can be resumed afterward. After receiving treatment, patients with migraines should begin to find relief within 4 to 7 days, and the positive effects of Botox injections can last up to 3 to 4 months.
Aftercare and What to Look For
How do I prepare for my appointment?When you contact Premier Neurology Center, our neurologists will be able to properly assess your condition, pain levels, and prescribe the best migraine treatments. Our center is located at 1050 SE Monterey Rd, Suite 201, Stuart, FL 34994. Our board-certified physicians will provide you with preparation instructions for your first and continued Botox treatments and advise you on any symptoms that may occur after the injections. For the best in medical care for migraines, please contact us to learn more about our Botox injections.
