Botox 100 Allergan Units
Size of leaflet: 802 x 297mm Font: Body text Arial regular 8pt Headings Arial Bold 9pt Title Arial Bold Italic 16pt Column width 82mm Gutter 6mm PL No; 41103/0023 date issued: 08.07.2015 version:!
Size of leaflet: 802 x 297mm Font: Body text Arial regular 8pt Headings Arial Bold 9pt Title Arial Bold Italic 16pt Column width 82mm Gutter 6mm PL No; 41103/0023 date issued: 08.07.2015 version:!
Cerebral palsy |
2 years |
Persistent muscle spasms in the wrist, hand or ankle of patients who have suffered a stroke |
18 years |
Persistent muscle spasms of the eyelid, face |
12 years |
Neck and shoulder |
12 years |
Chronic migraine |
18 years |
Leakage of urine |
18 years |
Excessive sweating of the armpits |
12 years (limited experience in adolescents between 12 and 17 years, speak to your doctor for further information) |
Vertical lines between the eyebrows and/or fan-shaped lines from the corner of the eyes |
18 years |
PACKAGE LEAFLET:
INFORMATION FOR THE USER
BOTOX®
100 Allergan Units,
(Botulinum toxin type A)
Powder for solution for injection
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine because it contains important information for you.
• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
• If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4
What is in this leaflet:
1. What BOTOX is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you use BOTOX
3. How to use BOTOX
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store BOTOX
6. Contents of the pack and other information
1. What BOTOX is and what it is used for
BOTOX is a muscle relaxant used to treat a number of conditions within the body. It contains the active substance Botulinum toxin type A and is injected into either the muscles, the bladder wall or deep into the skin. It works by partially blocking the nerve impulses to any muscles that have been injected and reduces excessive contractions of these muscles. In the case of chronic migraine, it is thought that BOTOX blocks pain signals, which indirectly block the development of a migraine.
When injected into the skin, BOTOX works on sweat glands to reduce the amount of sweat produced.
When injected into the bladder wall, BOTOX works on the bladder muscle to prevent leakage of urine (urinary incontinence) due to uncontrolled contractions of the bladder muscle.
1) BOTOX can be injected directly into the muscles, and can be used to control the following conditions:
• In children aged two years or older with cerebral palsy, who can walk, BOTOX is used to control foot deformity caused by the persistent muscle spasms in the legs. BOTOX relieves the persistent muscle spasms in the leg.
• In adults:
o persistent muscle spasms in the wrist, hand or ankle of patients who have suffered a stroke; o persistent muscle spasms in the eyelid and face; o persistent muscle spasms in the neck and shoulders.
2) BOTOX is used to prevent headaches in adult patients with chronic migraine.
Chronic migraine is a disease affecting the nervous system.
To be diagnosed with chronic migraine, you must have headaches 15 days or more a month. In addition, on 8 or more days a month, your headaches must have at least two of the following characteristics:
• affect only one side of the head
• cause a pulsating pain
• cause moderate to severe pain
• are aggravated by routine physical activity and they must cause at least one of the following:
• nausea, vomiting, or both
• sensitivity to light and sound.
BOTOX has been shown to significantly reduce the frequency of days with headache and to improve the quality of life of patients suffering from chronic migraine. After two treatment sessions, approximately 47% of patients had a 50% or greater reduction from baseline in the number of days with headache they experienced.
3) When injected into the bladder wall, BOTOX works on the bladder muscle to reduce leakage of urine (urinary incontinence) and control the following conditions in adults:
• overactive bladder with leakage of urine, the sudden urge to empty your bladder and needing to go to the toilet more than usual;
• leakage of urine due to bladder problems associated with spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis.
In patients who have not managed to control overactive bladder with leakage of urine with medicines called anticholinergics, BOTOX has been shown to reduce leakage of urine from an average of about 5 episodes per day down to 2 after 12 weeks. 27% of patients had no leakage of urine at all.
In patients with bladder problems associated with spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis who have not managed to control leakage of urine with medicines called anticholinergics, BOTOX has been shown to reduce leakage of urine, from an average of about 30 episodes per week down to 10 after 6 weeks. 37% of patients had no leakage of urine at all.
4) In adults, BOTOX can be injected deep into the skin and can work on sweat glands to reduce excessive sweating of the armpits, which affects the activities of daily living when other local treatments do not help.
5) When the severity of the following facial lines has an important psychological impact in adult patients, BOTOX is used for the temporary improvement in the appearance of:
• Vertical lines between the eyebrows seen at maximum frown.
• Fan-shaped lines from the corner of the eyes seen at maximum smile.
• Fan-shaped lines from the corner of the eyes seen at maximum smile when treated at the same time as vertical lines between the eyebrows seen at maximum frown.
2. What you need to know before you use BOTOX
Do not use BOTOX
• if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to botulinum toxin type A or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6);
• if you have an infection at the proposed site of injection;
• when you are being treated for leakage of urine and have either a urinary tract infection or a sudden inability to empty your bladder (and are not regularly using a catheter), or if you have bladder stones;
• if you are being treated for leakage of urine and are not willing to begin using a catheter if required.
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using BOTOX:
• if you have ever had problems with swallowing or food or liquid accidentally going into your lungs, especially if you will be treated for persistent muscle spasms in the neck and shoulders;
• if you are over 65 years of age and have other serious illnesses;
• if you suffer from any other muscle problems or chronic diseases affecting your muscles (such as myasthenia gravis or Eaton Lambert Syndrome);
• suffer from certain diseases affecting your nervous system (such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or motor neuropathy);
• if you have significant weakness or wasting of the muscles which your doctor plans to inject;
• if you have had any surgery that may have in some way changed the muscle to be injected;
• if you have had any problems with injections (such as fainting) in the past;
• if you have inflammation in the muscles or skin area where your doctor plans to inject;
• if you have had problems in the past with previous botulinum toxin injections;
• if you suffer from cardiovascular disease (disease of the heart or blood vessels);
• if you suffer of have suffered from seizures;
• if you have an eye disease called closed-angle glaucoma (high pressure in the eye) or were told you are at risk for developing this type of glaucoma;
• if you will have an operation soon;
• if you are taking any blood thinning medicine.
After you have been given BOTOX
You or your caregiver should contact your doctor and seek
medical attention immediately if you experience any of the
following:
• difficulty in breathing, swallowing, or speaking;
• hives, swelling including swelling of the face or throat, wheezing, feeling faint and shortness of breath (possible symptoms of severe allergic reaction).
If you have been treated for vertical and/or fan-shaped lines, please inform your doctor if you see no significant improvement of your lines one month after your first course of treatment.
General precautions
As with any injection, it is possible for the procedure to result in infection, pain, swelling, burning and stinging, increased sensitivity, tenderness, redness, and/or bleeding/bruising at the site of injection.
Side effects possibly related to the spread of toxin distant from the site of administration have been reported with botulinum toxin (e.g. muscle weakness, difficulty swallowing or unwanted food or liquid in the airways). This is a particular risk for patients with an underlying illness that makes them susceptible to these symptoms.
If you are given BOTOX too often or the dose is too high, you may experience muscle weakness and side effects related to the spread of toxin, or your body may start producing some antibodies, which can reduce the effect of BOTOX. To limit this risk, the interval between two treatments must not be less than two or three months depending on the indication.
When BOTOX is used in the treatment of a condition that it is not listed in this leaflet, it could result in serious reactions, particularly in patients who already experience difficulty in swallowing or have significant debility.
If you have not done much exercise for a long time before receiving BOTOX treatment, then after your injections you should start any activity gradually.
It is unlikely that this medicine will improve the range of motion of joints where the surrounding muscle has lost its ability to stretch.
When treating adults with post-stroke ankle muscle spasms, BOTOX should only be used if it is expected to result in improvement in function (e.g. walking) or symptoms (e.g. spasms or pain) or to help with patient care. Furthermore, for patients who may be more likely to fall, your doctor will judge if this treatment is suitable.
When BOTOX is used in the treatment of persistent muscle spasms in the eyelid, it could make your eyes blink less often, which may harm the surface of your eyes. In order to prevent this, you may need treatment with eye drops, ointments, soft contact lenses or even protective covering which closes the eye. Your doctor will tell you if this is required.
BOTOX does not prevent headaches in patients with episodic migraine, which occur less than 15 days a month.
When BOTOX is used in the treatment of vertical lines and fanshaped lines drooping of eyelid may occur after treatment.
Other medicines with BOTOX Tell your doctor or pharmacist if:
• you are using any antibiotics (used to treat infections), or any medicines that affect the nerves that control muscles (for example anticholinesterase medicines or muscle relaxants). Some of these medicines may increase the effect of BOTOX.
• you have recently been injected with a medicine containing a botulinum toxin (the active substance of BOTOX), as this may increase the effect of BOTOX too much.
• you are using any anti-platelet (aspirin-like) products and/or anticoagulants (blood thinners).
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken or might take any other medicine.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
The use of BOTOX is not recommended during pregnancy and in women of childbearing potential not using contraception. BOTOX is not recommended in breast-feeding women.
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using this medicine.
Driving and using machines
BOTOX may cause dizziness, sleepiness, tiredness or problems with your vision. If you experience any of these effects, do not drive or use any machines. If you are not sure, ask your doctor for advice.
3. How to use BOTOX
BOTOX must only be injected by doctors with specific skills and experience on how to use the medicine.
Method and route of administration
BOTOX is injected into your muscles (intramuscularly), into the bladder wall via a specific instrument (cystoscope) to inject into the bladder or into the skin (intradermally). It is injected directly into the affected area of your body; your doctor will usually inject BOTOX into several sites within each affected area.
General information about dosage
• The number of injections per muscle and the dose vary depending on the indications. Therefore, your doctor will decide how much, how often, and in which muscle(s) BOTOX will be given to you. It is recommended that your doctor uses the lowest effective dose;
• Dosages for older people are the same as for other adults.
The dosage of BOTOX and the duration of its effect will vary depending on the condition for which you are treated. Below are details corresponding to each condition.
The safety and effectiveness of BOTOX has not been established in children/adolescents under the following ages;
In addition, there is limited experience of using BOTOX in the treatment of vertical and/or fan-shaped lines in patients older than 65 years.
Dosage
Indication |
Maximum dose (Units per affected area) |
Minimal time between treatments | |
First treatment |
Following treatments | ||
Persistent muscle spasms in the legs of children who have cerebral palsy |
4 Units/kg (hemiplegia) 6 Units/kg (diplegia) |
4 Units/kg (hemiplegia) 6 Units/kg (diplegia) |
3 months* |
Persistent muscle spasms in the wrist and hand of patients who have had a stroke |
The exact dosage and number of injection sites per hand/wrist is tailored to individual needs up to a maximum of 240 Units |
The exact dosage and number of injection sites is tailored to individual needs up to a maximum of 240 Units |
12 weeks |
Persistent muscle spasms in the ankle of patients who have had a stroke |
Multiple injections in the affected muscles. The total dose is 300 Units divided among 3 muscles |
The total dose is 300 Units divided among 3 muscles |
12 weeks |
Persistent muscle spasms of the eyelid and face |
Up to 25 Units per eye |
Up to 100 Units |
3 months |
Persistent muscle spasms of the neck and shoulders |
Up to 200 Units |
Up to 300 Units |
10 weeks |
Fleadache in adults who have chronic migraine |
155 to 195 Units |
155 to 195 Units |
12 weeks |
Overactive bladder with leakage of urine |
100 Units |
100 Units |
3 months |
Leakage of urine due to bladder problems associated with spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis |
200 Units |
200 Units |
3 months The effects of more than two treatment sessions have not been evaluated. |
Excessive sweating of the armpits |
50 Units per armpit |
50 Units per armpit |
16 weeks |
Vertical lines between the eyebrows seen at maximum frown |
20 Units** |
Up to 50 Units |
3 months The effects of more than four treatment sessions have not been evaluated. |
Fan-shaped lines from the corner of the eyes seen at maximum smile |
24 Units** |
24 Units |
3 months |
*The doctor may select a dose that would mean the treatment may be up to 6 months apart.
** If you are treated for fan-shaped lines from the corner of the eyes seen at maximum smile at the same time as vertical lines between the eyebrows seen at maximum frown, you will receive a total dose of 44 Units
Information for patients treated for leakage of urine
Your doctor will give you antibiotics around the time of the injection to help prevent urinary tract infection. The injection will be administered by a procedure called cystoscopy. An instrument with a light source at the end will be introduced into your bladder through the opening by which you let out the urine (called urethra). This enables the doctor to see the inside of the bladder and place the injections into the bladder wall. Please ask your doctor to explain further details of the procedure to you.
If you were not using a catheter (a soft, hollow tube that is inserted into your urethra to help empty urine from the bladder) before treatment with BOTOX, you should be seen by your doctor approximately 2 weeks after the injection. You will be asked to pass urine and will then have the volume of urine left in your bladder measured. If your doctor assesses you have too much urine left in your bladder you will be instructed to use a catheter to empty your bladder. Your doctor will decide if and when you need to return for the same test.
For overactive bladder with leakage of urine.
You may be given a local anaesthetic before the injections (your bladder would be filled with anaesthetic solution for a while and then drained). You may also be given a sedative.
You will be observed for at least 30 minutes after the injection before you can leave to see if you can pass urine spontaneously.
You must contact your doctor if at any time you are unable to pass urine because it is possible that you may need to start using a catheter. In clinical trials, approximately 6 out of 100 patients not using a catheter before treatment may need to use a catheter after treatment.
For leakage of urine due to bladder problems associated with spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis
You may be given a local or general anaesthetic before the procedure.
You will be observed for at least 30 minutes after the injection before you can leave. At the time of the injection, due to the procedure by which the injection is delivered into your bladder,
you may experience possible uncontrolled reflex reaction of your body (e.g. profuse sweating, throbbing headache or increase in pulse rate).
You must contact your doctor if at any time you are unable to pass urine because it is possible that you may need to start using a catheter. In clinical trials, approximately one fifth of patients reported an inability to completely empty their bladder after BOTOX treatment. At least one third of patients not using a catheter before treatment may need to use a catheter after treatment.
Time to Improvement and Duration of Effect
For persistent muscle spasms in the legs of children who have cerebral palsy, the improvement usually appears within the first 2 weeks after the injection.
For persistent muscle spasms in the wrist and hand of patients who have had a stroke, you will usually see an improvement within the first 2 weeks after the injection. The maximum effect is usually seen about 4 to 6 weeks after treatment.
For persistent muscle spasms of the eyelid and face, you will usually see an improvement within 3 days after the injection and the maximum effect is usually seen after 1 to 2 weeks.
For persistent muscle spasms of the neck and shoulders, you
will usually see an improvement within 2 weeks after the injection. The maximum effect is usually seen about 6 weeks after treatment.
For leakage of urine due to overactive bladder, you will usually see an improvement within 2 weeks after the injection. Typically the effect lasts approximately 6 months after the injection.
For leakage of urine due to bladder problems associated with spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis, you will usually see an improvement within 2 weeks after the injection. Typically the effect lasts approximately 10 months after the injection.
For excessive sweating of the armpits, you will usually see an improvement within the first week after injection. On average the effect usually lasts 4-7 months after the first injection.
50 unit vial |
100 unit vial |
200 unit vial | |
Resulting dose (Units per 0.1ml) |
Amount of diluent (sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) solution for injection) added in a 50 unit vial |
Amount of diluent (sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) solution for injection) added in a 100 unit vial |
Amount of diluent (sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) solution for injection) added in a 200 unit vial |
20 Units |
0.25 ml |
0.5ml |
1 ml |
10 Units |
0.5ml |
1 ml |
2 ml |
5 Units |
1 ml |
2 ml |
4 ml |
4 Units |
1.25 ml |
2.5 ml |
5 ml |
2.5 Units |
2 ml |
4 ml |
8 ml |
1.25 Units |
4 ml |
8 ml |
N/A |
The following information is intended for medical or Healthcare professionals only:
BOTOX ® 100 Allergan Units, Powder for solution for injection
(Botulinum toxin type A)
Please refer to the Summary of Product Characteristics for complete prescribing information for BOTOX.
For all indications:
Side effects related to spread of toxin distant from the site of administration have been reported, sometimes resulting in death, which in some cases was associated with dysphagia, pneumonia and/or significant debility. The symptoms are consistent with the mechanism of action of botulinum toxin and have been reported hours to weeks after injection. The risk of symptoms is probably greatest in patients who have underlying conditions and comorbidities that would predispose them to these symptoms, including children and adults treated for spasticity, and are treated with high doses.
Patients treated with therapeutic doses may also experience exaggerated muscle weakness.
Pneumothorax associated with injection procedure has been reported following administration of BOTOX near the thorax. Caution is warranted when injecting in proximity to the lung, particularly the apices or other vulnerable anatomic structures.
Serious adverse events including fatal outcomes have been reported in patients who had received off-label injections of BOTOX directly into salivary glands, the oro-lingual-pharyngeal region, oesophagus and stomach. Some patients had pre-existing dysphagia or significant debility.
There have been rare spontaneous reports of death sometimes associated with aspiration pneumonia in children with severe cerebral palsy after treatment with botulinum toxin, including following off-label use (e.g. neck area). Extreme caution should be exercised when treating paediatric patients who have significant neurologic debility, dysphagia, or have a recent history of aspiration pneumonia or lung disease.
Treatment in patients with poor underlying health status should be administered only if the potential benefit to the individual patient is considered to outweigh the risks.
Refer to the Summary of Product Characteristics for complete information for BOTOX.
Reconstitution of the medicinal product:
It is good practice to perform vial reconstitution and syringe preparation over plastic-lined paper towels to catch any spillage.
Reconstitute BOTOX only with sterile unpreserved normal saline (0.9% sodium chloride solution for injection). Draw up an appropriate amount of diluent (see dilution table or instructions below) into a syringe.
Dilution table for BOTOX 50. 100 and 200 Allergan Units vial sizefor all indications except bladder disorders:
Since BOTOX is denatured by bubbling or similar vigorous agitation, inject the diluent gently into the vial. Discard the vial if a vacuum does not pull the diluent into the vial. Reconstituted BOTOX is a clear colourless to slightly yellow solution free of particulate matter. The reconstituted solution should be visually inspected for clarity and absence of particles prior to use. When reconstituted in the vial, BOTOX may be stored in a refrigerator (2°C - 8°C) for up to 24 hours prior to use.
From a microbiological point of view, the product should be used immediately. If not used immediately, in-use storage times and conditions prior to use are the responsibility of the user and would normally not be longer than 24 hours at 2°C - 8°C.
Dilution instructions for treatment of urinary incontinence due to overactive bladder:
It is recommended that a 100 Unit or two 50 Unit vials are used for convenience of reconstitution.
Should you need to use a 200 Unit vial, reconstitute a 200 Unit vial of BOTOX with 8 ml of 9 mg/ml (0.9%) preservative-free sodium chloride solution and mix gently. Draw 4 ml from the vial into a 10 ml syringe. Complete the reconstitution by adding 6 ml of 9 mg/ml (0.9%) preservative-free sodium chloride solution into the 10 ml syringe and mix gently. This will result in a 10 ml syringe containing a total of 100 Units of reconstituted BOTOX. Use immediately after reconstitution in the syringe. Dispose of any unused saline.
Or, reconstitute a 100 Unit vial of BOTOX with 10 ml of 9 mg/ml (0.9%) preservative-free sodium chloride solution and mix gently. Draw the 10 ml from the vial into a 10 ml syringe. This will result in a 10 ml syringe containing a total of 100 Units of reconstituted BOTOX. Use immediately after reconstitution in the syringe. Dispose of any unused saline.
Or reconstitute two 50 Unit vials of BOTOX, each with 5 ml of 9 mg/ml (0.9%) preservative-free sodium chloride solution and mix each vial gently. Draw the 5 ml from each vial into a single 10 ml syringe. This will result in a single 10 ml syringe containing a total of 100 Units of reconstituted BOTOX. Use immediately after reconstitution in the syringe. Dispose of any unused saline.
This product is for single use only and any unused reconstituted product should be disposed of.
Dilution instructions for treatment of urinary incontinence due to neurogenic detrusor overactivitv:
It is recommended that a 200 Unit or two 100 Unit vials are used for convenience of reconstitution
Reconstitute a 200 Unit vial of BOTOX with 6 ml of 9 mg/ml (0.9%) preservative-free sodium chloride solution for injection and mix gently. Draw 2 ml from the vial into each of three 10 ml syringes. Complete the reconstitution by adding 8 ml of 9 mg/ ml (0.9%) preservative-free sodium chloride solution for injection into each of the 10 ml syringes, and mix gently. This will result in three 10 ml syringes containing a total of 200 Units of reconstituted BOTOX. Use immediately after reconstitution in the syringe. Dispose of any unused saline.
Or, reconstitute two 100 Unit vials of BOTOX, each with 6 ml of 9 mg/ml (0.9%) preservative-free sodium chloride solution for injection and mix the vials gently. Draw 4 ml from each vial into each of two 10 ml syringes. Draw the remaining 2 ml from each vial into a third 10 ml syringe. Complete the reconstitution by adding 6 ml of 9 mg/ml (0.9%) preservative-free sodium chloride solution for injection into each of the 10 ml syringes, and mix gently. This will result in three 10 ml syringes containing a total of 200 Units of reconstituted BOTOX. Use immediately after reconstitution in the syringe. Dispose of any unused saline.
Should you need to use 50 Unit vials, reconstitute four 50 Unit vials of BOTOX, each with 3 ml of 9 mg/ml (0.9%) preservative-free sodium chloride solution for injection and mix the vials gently. Draw 3 ml from the first vial and 1 ml from the second vial into one 10 ml syringe. Draw 3 ml from the third vial and 1 ml from the fourth vial into a second 10 ml syringe. Draw the remaining 2 ml from the second and fourth vials into a third 10 ml syringe. Complete the reconstitution by adding 6 ml of 9 mg/ ml (0.9%) preservative-free sodium chloride solution for injection into each of the three 10 ml syringes, and mix gently. This will result in three 10 ml syringes containing a total of 200 Units of reconstituted BOTOX. Use immediately after reconstitution in the syringe. Dispose of any unused saline.
This product is for single use only and any unused solution should be discarded.
Procedure to follow for safe disposal of vials, syringes and materials used
For safe disposal, unused vials should be reconstituted with a small amount of water and then autoclaved. Any used vials, syringes, and spillages etc. should be autoclaved, or the residual BOTOX inactivated using dilute hypochlorite solution (0.5%) for 5 minutes.
PL No: 41103/0023
Leaflet revision date (Ref.) 08.07.2015
For vertical lines between the eyebrows seen at maximum frown, you will usually see an improvement within 1 week after treatment, the maximum effect being observed 5 to 6 weeks after injection. The treatment effect has been demonstrated for up to 4 months after injection.
For fan-shaped lines from the corner of the eyes seen at maximum smile you will usually see an improvement within 1 week after treatment. The treatment effect has been demonstrated for an average of 4 months after injection.
If you have received more BOTOX than you should
The signs of too much BOTOX may not appear for several days after the injection. Should you swallow BOTOX or have it accidentally injected, you should see your doctor who might keep you under observation for several weeks.
If you have received too much BOTOX, you may have any of the following symptoms and you must contact your doctor immediately. Fle/she will decide if you have to go to hospital:
• muscle weakness which could be local or distant from the site of injection;
• difficulty in breathing, swallowing or speaking due to muscle paralysis;
• food or liquid accidentally going into your lungs which might cause pneumonia (infection of the lungs) due to muscle paralysis;
• drooping of the eyelids, double vision;
• generalised weakness.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. Possible side effects
If you have any difficulty in breathing, swallowing or speaking after receiving BOTOX, contact your doctor immediately.
If you experience hives, swelling including swelling of the face or throat, wheezing, feeling faint and shortness of breath, contact your doctor immediately.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. In general, side effects occur within the first few days following injection.
They usually last only for a short time, but they may last for several months and in rare cases, longer.
As expected for any injection procedure, pain/burning/stinging, swelling and/or bruising may be associated with the injection.
The side effects are classified into the following categories, depending on how often they occur:
Very common |
may affect more than 1 in 10 people |
Common |
may affect up to 1 in 10 people |
Uncommon |
may affect up to 1 in 100 people |
Rare |
may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people |
Very rare |
may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people |
Below are lists of side effects which vary depending on the part of the body where BOTOX is injected. If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
Injections in the legs of children with cerebral palsy
Very Common |
• Viral infection, ear infection |
Common |
• Sleepiness, problems with walking, numbness • Muscle pain, muscle weakness, pain of the extremities • Urinary incontinence (leakage of urine) • Feeling generally unwell or weak • Pain where the injection was given • Fall • Rash |
Common |
• Muscle weakness, increased muscle tension • Pain in the hand and fingers • Bruising and bleeding under the skin causing red patches (ecchymosis or purpura) • Bleeding, burning, pain where the injection was given • Fever, flu manifestations |
Uncommon |
• Depression, difficulty in sleeping (insomnia) • A fall in blood pressure on standing up which causes dizziness, light headedness or fainting • Feeling of dizziness or “spinning” (vertigo) • Lack of coordination of movements, loss of memory, decreased skin sensation, numbness, headache • General weakness, feeling generally unwell • Feeling sick, numbness around the mouth • Pain, swelling of the extremities such as the hands and feet • Joint pain or inflammation • Inflammation of the skin (dermatitis), rash, itching, increased sensitivity where the injection was given |
Injections in the eyelid and face for muscle spasms
Very Common |
• Drooping of the eyelid |
Common |
• Swelling of the face • Pinpoint damage of the cornea (transparent surface covering the front of the eye), difficulty in completely closing the eye, overflow of tears, dry eyes, eye irritation and sensitivity to light • Bruising under the skin • Irritation |
Uncommon |
• Dizziness, weakness of the face muscles, drooping of the muscles on one side of the face • Visual disturbance, blurred vision, double vision, inflammation of the cornea (transparent surface covering the front of the eye), abnormal turning of the eyelids outwards or inwards • Rash • Tiredness |
Rare |
• Swelling of the eyelid |
Very rare |
• Damage to the cornea (transparent surface covering the front of the eye) including ulcer and perforation |
Injections in the forehead for vertical lines
Common |
• Headache • Drooping of the eyelid • Localised muscle weakness • Face pain • Skin redness |
Uncommon |
• Infection • Anxiety • Numbness, dizziness • Inflammation ofthe eyelid, eye pain, visual disturbance • Swelling (face, eyelid, around the eyes), skin tightness, skin sensitivity to light, dry skin, itching • Feeling sick, dry mouth • Muscle twitching • Fever, flu manifestations, feeling weak |
Affecting muscles
• muscles pain, loss of nerve supply to/shrinkage of injected muscle
Common |
• Swelling of the eyelid • Injection site bleeding*, injection site bruising* |
Uncommon |
• Injection site pain*, injection site tingling or numbness |
*Side effects related to the injection procedure.
Common |
• Injection site bruising* |
Uncommon |
• Injection site bleeding*, injection site pain* |
*Side effects related to the injection procedure.
Ref: RML37 / V1
Affecting the ears
• decreased hearing
• noises in the ear
• feeling of dizziness or “spinning” (vertigo)
POM
There have been rare spontaneous reports of death sometimes associated with aspiration pneumonia in children with severe cerebral palsy after treatment with BOTOX.
Injections in the wrist and hand of patients who have had a stroke
Some of these uncommon side effects may also be related to your disease.
Injections in the legs of patients who have had a stroke
Common |
• Rash |
• Joint pain or inflammation, stiff or sore muscles | |
• Swelling of the extremities such as the hands | |
and feet |
Injections in the neck and shoulder
Very Common |
• Difficulty in swallowing • Pain • Muscle weakness |
Common |
• Dizziness, sleepiness, headache • Feeling of weakness or generally unwell, flu manifestations • Feeling sick, dry mouth • Muscle cramps, stiff or sore muscles, increased muscle tension • Decreased skin sensation • Swelling and irritation inside the nose (rhinitis), signs of infection of the nose or throat (blocked or runny nose, cough, sore throat) |
Uncommon |
• Shortness of breath, changes in voice • Double vision, drooping of the eyelid • Fever |
Injections in the head and neck to prevent headache in patients who suffer from chronic migraine
Common |
• Increase in headache or migraine • Weakness of the face muscles • Drooping of the eyelid • Rash, itching • Pain where the injection was given • Muscle weakness, neck pain, muscle pain or cramp, muscle stiffness or tightness |
Uncommon |
• Difficulty in swallowing • Swollen eyelid • Skin pain • Jaw pain |
Injections in the bladder wall for overactive bladder with leakage of urine
Very common |
• Urinary infection, painful urination after the injection* |
Common |
• Inability to empty the bladder (urinary retention), incomplete emptying of the bladder, frequent daytime urination • Bacteria or white blood cells in the urine |
*This side effect is related to the injection procedure.
Injections in the bladder wall for leakage of urine due to bladder problems associated with spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis
Very common |
• Urinary infection (in about half the patients) • Inability to empty the bladder (urinary retention; see section 3) |
Common |
• Muscle spasm • Bulge in the bladder wall (bladder diverticulum) The following side effects have only be reported in multiple sclerosis: • Difficulty in sleeping (insomnia) • Tiredness, problems with walking (gait disturbance) • Constipation • Muscle weakness, fall The following side effects are related to the injection procedure: • Blood in the urine after the injection • Uncontrolled reflex reaction of the body (profuse sweating, throbbing headache or increase in pulse rate) around the time of the injection (autonomic dysreflexia; see section 3) |
Injections for excessive sweating of the armpits
Very common |
• Pain where the injection was given |
Common |
• Fleadache, numbness • Hot flushes • Increased sweating at sites other than the armpit, abnormal skin odour, itching, lump under the skin • Hair loss • Pain in the extremities, such as the hands and fingers • Pain, reaction where the injection was given such as swelling, bleeding, burning or increased sensitivity |
Uncommon |
• Muscle weakness, muscle pain, problem with the joints • Feeling weak • Feeling sick |
Injections in the fan-shaped lines from the corner of the eyes
Injections in the fan-shaped lines from the corner of the eyes, when treated at the same time as injections in the forehead for vertical lines
General information about other side effects
The following list describes additional side effects reported for BOTOX, in any disease, since it has been marketed:
Affecting the immune system
• sudden allergic reactions, which can be serious (swelling of the face or throat, difficulty in breathing, feeling faint)
• delayed reaction which may include fever, skin reaction, joint pain (serum sickness)
• hives
Affecting metabolism
• loss of appetite
Affecting the nervous system
• nerve damage (brachial plexopathy)
• slurred speech, speech problems
• weakness or drooping of the muscles on one side of the face
• decreased skin sensation
• muscle weakness
• chronic disease affecting the muscles (myasthenia gravis)
• difficulty moving the arm and shoulder
• numbness, tingling and pain in hands and feet
• pain/numbness/or weakness starting from the spine
• seizures, fainting
Affecting the eyes
• increase in eye pressure
• difficulty in completely closing the eye
• strabismus (squint)
• blurred vision
• visual disturbance
Affecting the cardiovascular system
• heart problems including heart attack
Affecting the respiratory system
• aspiration pneumonia (lung inflammation caused by accidentally breathing in food, drink, saliva or vomit)
• breathing problems, respiratory depression and/or respiratory failure
Affecting the gastrointestinal system
• abdominal pain
• diarrhoea, constipation
• dry mouth
• difficulty swallowing
• feeling sick, vomiting
Affecting the skin
• hair loss, loss of eyebrows
• different types of red blotchy skin rashes
• excessive sweating
• itching
• rash
Affecting the body
• feeling generally unwell
• fever
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via Yellow Card Scheme, Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store BOTOX
Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
Store in a refrigerator (2°C - 8°C), or store in a freezer (at or below -5°C).
After the solution is made up, immediate use of the solution is recommended; however it can be stored for up to 24 hours in a refrigerator (2°C - 8°C).
Your doctor should not use BOTOX after the expiry date which is stated on the label after ‘EXP’. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What BOTOX contains
• The active substance is: Botulinum toxin type A from Clostridium botulinum.
• The other ingredients are human albumin and sodium chloride.
What BOTOX looks like and content of the pack
BOTOX is presented as a white powder in a transparent glass vial. Prior to injection, the product must be dissolved in a sterile saline solution.
Each vial contains 100 Allergan Units of botulinum toxin type A. Each pack contains 1 glass vial.
PL No: 41103/0023
Manufactured by Allegan Pharmaceuticals Ireland, Westport, Ireland and procured from within the EU and repackaged by the Product Licence holder:
Community Pharmacy Supplies Limited, Ferry Lane South, Rainham, Essex RM13 9BP
Leaflet revision date (ref.) 08.07.2015 BOTOX is a registered trademark of Allergan Inc.