Therapeutic Uses of Botox

There are a myriad of therapeutic uses of Botox. Some of the commonest of these include treatment of:

Blepharospasm

A neurologic condition in which spasmodic contractions of muscles around the eye and of the eyelids causes repetitive partial or complete closure of the eye. This condition often responds very well to treatment with Botox. The cost of treatment for this condition is covered under OHIP. While the cost of the medication itself is not covered by the government, many insurance companies will cover the cost if a letter is provided by a neurologist . Fortunately at our clinic we have a  Royal college Certified neurologist, Dr Laura Schiffer, on staff.

Hyperhydrosis

Another common therapeutic use of Botox® is treatment of excessive sweating. Injection of Botox® in hands, feet , underarms, forehead or scalp and many other areas, can alleviate sweating, often for as long as 6 months. The side effects of Botox® are generally felt to be far fewer than side effects of many oral medications that have been used for this problem. With the success of Botox® injections in the majority of patients who suffer from excessive sweating, the number of patients opting for surgical procedures such as sweat gland removal has dropped substantially. Many private health insurance companies will cover the cost of Botox® for Hyperhydrosis. At both our Ontario Botox® clinics we have a great deal of experience with treatment of sweating.

Migraines and Chronic Headaches

While  Health Canada has not yet officially approved the use of Botox® for headache treatment , Botox® for Headache is offered at most headache clinics in North America, as what is termed an "off label" indication for the drug. There is much research suggesting Botox® can reduce the frequency and severity of migraine. A study in 2003 of 271 adult migraine sufferers demonstrated 89% to have some improvement in their migraine pattern after Botox® injections.A study in 2008 by Allergan, the manufacturers of Botox, was one of the largest to date and showed positive results in an increase in headache free days , and a decrease in reported headache episodes in patients with chronic headaches. Because there are many potential causes of headaches, it is recommended that headache sufferers have a proper medical evaluation prior to Botox® treatment, ideally by a neurologist, to insure there is no worrisome cause. All our headache and migraine patients undergo an assessment by Dr. L Schiffer, the clinic neurologist, who is able to prescribe concomitant headache treatment along with Botox. Most neurologists who inject Botox® for headache use a protocol that requires 100 units of Botox® or more, over the forehead, scalp, occipital area and sometimes neck. While the cost of treatment is not covered by OHIP, many private insurers will cover the cost of Botox® medication for headache. They will often require a supportive letter from the treating neurologist.