Warnings & Recalls for Botox
Botox Black Box Warning
The FDA has required a black box warning for Botox and similar products to warn of the rare, potentially life-threatening complication of the toxin spreading farther than desired from the injection site.These problems have mainly occurred with patients who received overdoses for unapproved treatments.
General Botox Warnings
- Do not use Botox if you are pregnant, breast feeding, or have a neurological disease.
- Tell your doctor if you have any breathing-related problems, muscle/nerve conditions, or if you have received other botulinum toxin products in the last 4 months.
- It is recommended to avoid alcohol at least one week before treatment and aspirin and anti-inflammatory medications two week before treatment.
Botox Treatment and Use
Botox | Botulinum toxin type-A injections are made from a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. When used in small doses this toxin paralyzes specific muscles, stopping them from contracting for months at a time. In larger amounts, this toxin causes botulism. Botox injections can be prescribed to treat several health problems, such as:
- Cervical dystonia, or painful muscle contractions in the neck
- Eye conditions such as blepharospasm or strabismus
- Urinary incontinence
- Muscle stiffness in the elbows, wrists, and fingers
- Chronic migraines
- Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating
It is also commonly used to temporarily correct cosmetic imperfections, including but not limited to:
- Furrows in the forehead
- Crow’s feet
- Frown lines
How Does Botox Work?
Botox stops the release of acetylcholine, a chemical that activates muscle contractions. This causes paralyzation to treat tightness or spasms in targeted muscles.
Cosmetically, it reduces the visibility of facial wrinkles by paralyzing the muscles beneath them.
How to take Botox
Botox injections should only be administered in sterile environments, such as doctor’s offices or medical spas. NOT at nail salons and Botox parties.
No anesthesia is required when taking the shot. However, local anesthesia or numbing cream is sometimes used on the area of injection to reduce discomfort. Depending on the number of injection points, the procedure can take up to 20 minutes.
You may resume regular activity immediately after the injection. Do not rub the treated area to prevent to toxin from spreading to unwanted areas.
Results are not permanent, so follow-up injections should be scheduled every few months to maintain treatment.
