home
RSS
Botox provides small benefit for migraine sufferers
April 24th, 2012
04:01 PM ET

Botox provides small benefit for migraine sufferers

Just a few days after new migraine treatment guidelines were released at the American Academy of Neurology's annual convention, new research published in this week's edition of JAMA, finds Botox may not work as well on migraines as originally thought.

The AAN's recommendations found that numerous drugs, such as the seizure drugs divalproex sodium, sodium valproate and topiramate, along with the beta-blockers metoprolol, propranolol and timolol, are effective for migraine prevention.

The guidelines also noted herbal drugs such as petasites relieved migraine pain and nonsterodial anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium should be offered to people with migraines to reduce the frequency and severity of attacks.

Botulinum toxin A, otherwise known as Botox, was not mentioned.

Since Botox has become a popular way to eliminate wrinkles in the forehead, doctors have been using it for all types of treatments, from excessive sweating to headaches. But even though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved botulinum toxin A injections for the prevention of chronic migraines, a new analysis finds Botox provides only a small to modest benefit for patients with migraine or daily headaches.

The review states that migraines and tension headaches are extremely common, about 42% of adults in the U.S. experience a tension-type headache sometime in their lives. But many of these headache sufferers don't seek medical help. Migraines are less common - about 8 to 18% of the population suffers from these types of headaches, which are far more debilitating.

Botulinum toxin A injections were first proposed as headache treatments when doctors noticed patients with chronic headaches receiving cosmetic Botox injections also found relief for their headaches. Studies on botulinum effectiveness for headaches have been mixed.

Researchers from the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, reviewed previous studies on botulinum toxin A when used for the treatment of migraine, tension or chronic daily headaches in adults. The headaches were categorized as episodic (less than 15 headaches per month) or chronic (15 or more headaches per month), migraine and episodic, or chronic daily or tension headaches.

The researchers reviewed 27 randomized placebo-controlled trials that included a little more than 5,000 study participants and four randomized Botox comparisons with other medications for migraines and chronic headaches.

They found Botox was associated with approximately three fewer headaches per month among patients with chronic daily headaches and among patients with chronic migraine headaches, about two less per month.

There was no significant association between the use of Botox and reduction in the number of episodic migraine or chronic tension-type headaches.

And compared with those on a placebo, Botox caused users to have side effects such as drooping of the upper eyelids, skin tightness, a tingling sensation in the injection area, neck stiffness, muscle weakness and neck pain.

When compared to other drugs, Botox did not prevent chronic migraine headaches any better than drugs like topiramate or amitriptyline.

According to the study authors, "Our analyses suggest that botulinum toxin A may be associated with improvement in the frequency of chronic migraine and chronic daily headaches, but not with improvement in the frequency of episodic migraine, chronic tension-type headaches, or episodic tension-type headaches. However, the association of botulinum toxin A with clinical benefit was small."

 Post by:
Filed under: Brain • Migraines • Pain
Next entry »
« Previous entry
soundoff (79 Responses)
  1. Jenelle Gilger

    I don't know about you all but I am obsessed with airplanes. I had a friend in highschool that loves airplanes, so here are some airplane related stuff I don't know about you guys but I love airplanes. I had a friend in highschool that loved airplanes, so here are some airplane related stuff https://www.airlinereporter.com/2010/08/hanging-out-at-oshkosh-2010-with-southwest-airlines/

    http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs151/1111846961938/archive/1119161431892.html

    May 16, 2021 at 17:04 | Report abuse | Reply
  2. Hye Stenslie

    Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is essentially a video game where you can do anything you want. SL is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you want to see more you can see these sl authors and blogs

    http://myvedana.blogspot.com/2009/03/this-is-wonderful-photograph-of-one-of.html?m=0

    May 17, 2021 at 07:57 | Report abuse | Reply
  3. Erich Halim

    I don't know about you all but I am obsessed with airplanes. I have a friend in highschool that loved airplanes, so here are some airplane related stuff I don't know about you guys but I love airplanes. I had a friend in highschool that loved airplanes, so here are some airplane related stuff https://www.airlinereporter.com/2010/03/ryanair-leavine-passengers-stranded/

    http://mastersprogrambest.blogspot.com/2013/09/national-security-masters-programs_20.html

    May 19, 2021 at 04:50 | Report abuse | Reply
  4. Meagan Pistelli

    Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is basically a game where you can do anything you want. Second life is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you want to see more you can see these sl websites and blogs

    http://myvedana.blogspot.com/2009/05/facebook-strategies-for-classroom.html

    May 20, 2021 at 03:51 | Report abuse | Reply
  5. Eden Hardin

    Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is basically a game where you can do anything you want. SL is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you would like to see more you can see these second life authors and blogs

    http://wardsworld.pbworks.com/w/page/12621276/What20are20social20networks

    May 20, 2021 at 20:35 | Report abuse | Reply
  6. Cathryn Mohead

    I don't know about you all but I infatuated with airplanes. I have a friend in highschool that loves airplanes, so here are some airplane related stuff I don't know about you guys but I love airplanes. I had a friend in highschool that loved airplanes, so here are some airplane related stuff https://www.airlinereporter.com/2010/02/fun-with-photos-turkish-airlines-ad-going-down/

    http://mastersprogrambest.blogspot.com/2013/09/national-security-masters-programs_20.html

    May 22, 2021 at 02:32 | Report abuse | Reply
  7. Cecelia Pizzaro

    Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is basically a online game where you can do anything you want. SL is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you would like to see more you can see these sl authors and blogs

    http://everydayliteracies.blogspot.com/2014/08/new-book-in-our-series-youth-community.html?showComment=1516172873822

    May 23, 2021 at 04:24 | Report abuse | Reply
  8. sa gaming

    63606 555556Wonderful write-up mate, maintain the excellent function, just shared this with ma friendz 605771

    May 28, 2021 at 19:14 | Report abuse | Reply
  9. Jimmy Sifontes

    Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is basically a online game where you can do anything you want. SL is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you want to see more you can see these sl websites and blogs

    http://everydayliteracies.blogspot.com/2010/05/mainstreaming-web-were-now-in-final.html?m=0

    May 29, 2021 at 05:43 | Report abuse | Reply
  10. Bong Carlington

    Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is essentially a game where you can do anything you want. SL is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you want to see more you can see these second life websites and blogs

    http://myvedana.blogspot.com/2005/10/more-stuff.html

    May 30, 2021 at 06:33 | Report abuse | Reply
  11. Wayne Gutrerrez

    Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is basically a video game where you can do anything you want. SL is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you would like to see more you can see these Second Life authors and blogs

    http://lostbiro.com/blog/?page_i&paged=78

    May 31, 2021 at 05:16 | Report abuse | Reply
  12. Maire Schonaerts

    This was awesome! I would like you to clean up all this spam though

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/yusufhanafy

    June 6, 2021 at 03:00 | Report abuse | Reply
  13. Byron Stryjewski

    This was great! I would like you to clean up all this spam though

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/yusufhanafy

    June 8, 2021 at 01:22 | Report abuse | Reply
  14. Sharell Sheladia

    This was great! I would like you to clean up all this spam though

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/yusufhanafy

    June 10, 2021 at 06:02 | Report abuse | Reply
  15. Kaleigh Treasure

    Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is essentially a video game where you can do anything you want. Second life is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you would like to see more you can see these sl authors and blogs

    http://myvedana.blogspot.com/2006/02/romance-aint-dead.html?showComment=1140367620000&m=0

    June 12, 2021 at 20:08 | Report abuse | Reply
  16. Irving Banta

    I don't know about you all but I infatuated with airplanes. I have a friend in highschool that loves airplanes, so here are some airplane related stuff I don't know about you guys but I love airplanes. I had a friend in highschool that loved airplanes, so here are some airplane related stuff https://www.airlinereporter.com/2010/11/today-starts-tsas-secure-flight-are-you-ready/

    http://everydayliteracies.blogspot.com/2014/08/new-book-in-our-series-youth-community.html?showComment=1558513611064

    June 13, 2021 at 20:59 | Report abuse | Reply
1 2

Post a comment


  

CNN welcomes a lively and courteous discussion as long as you follow the Rules of Conduct set forth in our Terms of Service. Comments are not pre-screened before they post. You agree that anything you post may be used, along with your name and profile picture, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and the license you have granted pursuant to our Terms of Service.

Next entry »
« Previous entry
Advertisement
About this blog

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love.