Botox for Migraines: Q&A

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What is the Dosage of Botox for Use to Treat Migraines?

Wanted to know more about the protocol for treating migraines using botox cosmetic. How many units are required?

9 Doctor Answers | Asked by anon
+2

Treating Migranes with Botox, an intelligent comprehensive approach is essential

Treatment of migranes is a very individualized process. The first step is to see a qualified plastic and reconstructive surgeon that can understand and guide you through the multiple surgical and nonsurgical options. The patient must present with an active migrane. Only migranes that are triggered by compression of peripheral nerves can be treated with botox, luckily at least in my practice this includes the majority. A plastic surgeon with craniofacial experience can... more
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Botox for migraines should be customized

I would say that most of my migraine patients take a minimum of 50 units. Some need more. But the placement depends upon where they get their migraines. People will get targeted migraine pain in different spots. Some right between the eyes, some feel a pull behind the ears, some in the temples, so it really need to be customized per patient.
+2

BOTOX® for migraine and other headaches is customized for each individual

In my practice over the past 8 years the dose of BOTOX® for migraine and other headaches has been customized for each individual, so there is a very broad range. Most patients take 120-150 units of BOTOX® every 3-4 months, but there are some who do very well with as little as 30 units of BOTOX® [for example, in the glabellar complex], and others who need 240 or even 300 units per session [in particular those who also need treatment of the masseters for associated TMJ pain... more
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Botox treatment of migraines varies in units

Neurologists, dermatologists and plastic surgeons can treat migraines with varying units. YOur treatment will depend on what triggers are thought to stimulate your headaches.
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Botox For Migraines

Botox can be a very effective treatment for migraines, and is now approved by the FDA for this indication. Several studies have been published on this topic. The protocol that is referenced most frequently utilized up to 195 units injected to the forehead, temples, posterior scalp, posterior neck, and trapezius muscles. In my personal experience, most patients respond to a much smaller dose depending on the distribution of the actual pain.
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Botox

It is not a fact that botox helps with migraines but in my experience I have seen it work for a lot of my patients. Every patient is different and reacts different to treatments. Botox can be injected in a lot of different places. When I am injecting botox for a patient that is doing it for migraines I inject in the same places I do for my other patients and that would be the forehead, glabellar area, and crow's feet area.
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Botox For Migraines

Since every patient is different, there is no specific dosing regimen and there is no defined placement. The dosage and placement really depends on the individual, the trigger points for the headaches, and where the headaches end up. It's best to treat the migraine as soon as it comes on, but most of my patients are injected 2-3 times each year to keep the headaches from coming back!
+1

Botox For Short Term Migraine Control

Since Botox works to block the neuromuscular receptors, preventing a muscle from contracting, it works well in many patients to alleviate migraines. Most migraines originate from involuntary muscle contracting or having some sort of spasm around particluar nerves. This is why most patients with severe migraines always start at the same area and then radiate out to encompass the entire head. If a patient can pinpoint the area, then Botox into the underlying muscle... more
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Botox is used to treatment migraines that fail to respond to other forms of treatment.

Please keep in mind that not every one responds to BOTOX for migraines. The dose is adjusted to your response so the dose is based on what you need recognizing that increasing dose is associated with increasing side effects.
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These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.

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