OnabotulinumtoxinA

OnabotulinumtoxinA has a number of uses, including the treatment of crossed eyes, neck pain, and frown lines. The drug is injected directly into the muscles causing problems, and it works by decreasing nerve signals, helping the muscles relax. Because the effects of this product are temporary, injections must be repeated periodically. Possible side effects include neck pain, difficulty swallowing, and droopy eyelids.

OnabotulinumtoxinA Drug Information

What Is OnabotulinumtoxinA?

OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox^®) is a prescription injection approved to:

Treat severe underarm sweating that has not responded to other treatments
Treat eyelid twitching or spasms (known medically as blepharospasm)
Temporarily improve the appearance of wrinkles between the eyebrows (frown lines)
Relieve neck pain and abnormal head position associated with cervical dystonia (a certain kind of muscle spasm of the head and neck)
Treat misaligned eyes, such as crossed eyes (known medically as strabismus).

The generic name for Botox was changed from "botulinum type A" to "onabotulinumtoxinA" to help prevent confusion and mix-ups between Botox and other similar botulinum type A products.

(Click What Is OnabotulinumtoxinA Used For? for more information, including possible off-label uses.)

Are There Side Effects?

As with any medicine, side effects are possible with onabotulinumtoxinA. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience problems. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can be treated easily by you or your healthcare provider. Serious reactions are less common.

Common side effects of onabotulinumtoxinA include but are not limited to:

Droopy eyelids
Difficulty swallowing
Vertical misalignment of the eye (vertical deviation)
Upper respiratory infection (such as the common cold)
Neck pain
Headache.

(Click Side Effects of OnabotulinumtoxinA to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)

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