Reactions to Botox

Botox is medically known as botulinum toxin type A, derived from bacteria called Clostridium botulinum. When injected into a muscle, the drug basically paralyzes the nerves, causing the muscle to relax and become smooth. The injection results usually last 4 months, then patients can decide if they want further treatments. Reactions to Botox should be reviewed before you decide if the treatment is right for you.

Uses

• Botox is used to treat or control a wide range of medical conditions including muscle spasms, excessive sweating in the underarm area, and cervical dystonia. Botox is most commonly known as an anti-aging treatment to smooth wrinkles in the face and neck.

Injection Site Reactions

• Botox is injected by hypodermic needle; therefore, it is very likely to cause mild side effects in the treated area. Commonly reported side effects are pain and bruising, redness, and slight swelling. Applications of ice, before and after the injection, can help alleviate these common effects.

Common Side Effects

• Certain side effects have been reported in 1 percent to 10 percent of Botox patients. Most of these symptoms only last for the first few hours or, less likely, for a few days after the procedure. Symptoms may include nausea, flu-like symptoms, indigestion, headache, backache, temporary drooping of the eyelids, facial weakness, and blurred vision.

Serious Reactions

• As with any foreign substance being injected into the body, the risk of an allergic reaction to Botox is always a possibility but rare. If you experience a rash or itchy welts, wheezing or difficulty breathing or swallowing, or dizziness or faintness, contact your doctor immediately.

  Some adverse reactions to Botox are caused by the toxin migrating to other parts of the body and spreading from the intended area of treatment. If the toxin spreads, you may experience overall muscle weakness, difficulty speaking, double or blurred vision, or lose of bladder control. Report these symptoms to your doctor right away.

Warning

• The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires Botox products to be labeled with a black box. The black box is the strongest warning label that a product can receive from the FDA. The black label is reserved for drugs with the potential risk of serious, adverse side effects and the possibility of death from the effects. No life-threatening cases have been reported when the correct amount of Botox has been administered for cosmetic surgery. The incidences that have been reported occurred when administering the drug in children with cerebral palsy.

  Botox should only be administered by a licensed physician. Botox parties are generally frowned upon, even if the physician is licensed. With any medical procedure, the doctor needs to know the patient's medical history and any medications or even any herbal supplements that a patient is taking. Quick assembly-line applications are not advised with any black box label prescription drug.