Botox® For Migraine

Botox® has many more uses than just for its more familiar treatment of lines and wrinkles. A less well-known use but one that is highly effective is for the treatment of migraine headaches. It was licensed specifically for the treatment of migraine in July 2010 by the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency) following extensive trials.

Before granting the license researchers trialled Botox® injections in 1,384 patients who suffered from migraine using both a placebo and Botulinum Toxin over 56 weeks. After this period 70% of those treated with Botox® had less than half the number of migraines than they previously had, offering huge relief for sufferers.

It is thought that botulinum toxin targets the small nerves that carry pain from the head to the brain, known as C-fibres. This reduces the amount of chemicals released from the nerve ending and interrupts the feedback pathway that perpetuates the migraine.

Botox® is given as a series of tiny injections under the skin or into the muscles in and around the forehead, over the scalp, into the area at the base of the skull. The injections are repeated every 3 months until the patient no longer suffers from migraine, or after 3 months if there is no positive response they will be stopped. Normally a response would be seen after the first or second set of injections.

The biological effect of Botox® on the nerves can take several weeks to be effective and some sufferers will not start to have relief until after their second set of injections

Botox® for migraine provides an improvement for the sufferer in quality of life with fewer and less severe symptoms. In rare cases the migraines disappear completely but it is more likely that they will become less intense and less frequent making life more bearable again.

Botox® clinics in Essex, Cambridge, London, Belfast and Leamington Spa.