Precautions and Warnings With Botulinum Toxin Type A

Precautions and warnings with botulinum toxin type A should be reviewed prior to beginning treatment. This includes telling your healthcare provider if you have heart disease or neuromuscular disease, as well as if you have an infection near the injection site. Precautions and warnings with botulinum toxin type A also extend to people who are allergic to any components of the drug and women who are pregnant or nursing.

 

Botulinum Toxin Type A: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking botulinum toxin type A (Botox®) if you have:
 
 
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
 
  • Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
  • Breastfeeding.
     
You should also be sure to tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 

Specific Precautions and Warnings With Botulinum Toxin Type A

Warnings and precautions to be aware of prior to taking botulinum toxin type A include the following:
 
  • The medication can cause allergic reactions. If you notice an unexplained rash, itching, wheezing, swelling, or difficulty breathing, tell your healthcare provider right away.
     
  • Botulinum toxin type A can cause difficulty swallowing, which may cause serious problems. This is more likely if you already have swallowing problems or if you have a neuromuscular disease.
     
  • In rare cases, there have been instances of heart problems occurring after a dose of botulinum toxin type A, particularly in people who already have heart disease. It is not clear if these problems were related to the drug. However, you should let your healthcare provider know if you have heart disease.
     
  • Botulinum toxin type A contains albumin, a human protein. Theoretically, viruses or infectious proteins may be transmitted through albumin. However, there have never been any cases of this reported with an albumin product.
     
  • Sometimes, the medication can decrease your blinking reflex (especially if it is used near the eyes). This can dry out your eyes, increasing your risk of corneal abrasion or other eye problems. If your eyes seem to be dry, let your healthcare provider know right away.
     
  • Sometimes, botulinum toxin type A injections in the area near the eyes can cause vision changes. These changes are usually temporary.
     
  • Botulinum toxin type A can interact with a few different medications (see Drug Interactions With Botulinum Toxin Type A).
     
  • Botulinum toxin type A is considered a pregnancy Category C medication. This means that it may not be safe for use during pregnancy, although the full risks are not known (see Botox and Pregnancy).
     
  • It is not known if botulinum toxin type A passes through breast milk. Therefore, if you are breastfeeding or plan to start, discuss this with your healthcare provider prior to taking the drug (see Botox and Breastfeeding).
     
(Precautions and Warnings With Botulinum Toxin Type A Continued: Page 2)
Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;