OnabotulinumtoxinA injection (Medical Use)

July 17, 2018

OnabotulinumtoxinA injection (Medical Use)

What is this medicine?

ONABOTULINUMTOXINA (o na BOTT you lye num tox in eh) is a neuro-muscular blocker. This medicine is used to treat crossed eyes, eyelid spasms, severe neck muscle spasms, ankle and toe muscle spasms, and elbow, wrist, and finger muscle spasms. It is also used to treat excessive underarm sweating, to prevent chronic migraine headaches, and to treat loss of bladder control due to neurologic conditions such as multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury.

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is for injection into a muscle. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 12 years old for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

  • allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

  • breathing problems

  • changes in vision

  • chest pain or tightness

  • eye irritation, pain

  • fast, irregular heartbeat

  • infection

  • numbness

  • speech problems

  • swallowing problems

  • unusual weakness

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

  • bruising or pain at site where injected

  • drooping eyelid

  • dry eyes or mouth

  • headache

  • muscles aches, pains

  • sensitivity to light

  • tearing

What may interact with this medicine?

  • aminoglycoside antibiotics like gentamicin, neomycin, tobramycin

  • muscle relaxants

  • other botulinum toxin injections

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

Where should I keep my medicine?

This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

  • breathing problems

  • cerebral palsy spasms

  • difficulty urinating

  • heart problems

  • history of surgery where this medicine is going to be used

  • infection at the site where this medicine is going to be used

  • myasthenia gravis or other neurologic disease

  • nerve or muscle disease

  • surgery plans

  • take medicines that treat or prevent blood clots

  • thyroid problems

  • an unusual or allergic reaction to botulinum toxin, albumin, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

  • pregnant or trying to get pregnant

  • breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Visit your doctor for regular check ups.

This medicine will cause weakness in the muscle where it is injected. Tell your doctor if you feel unusually weak in other muscles. Get medical help right away if you have problems with breathing, swallowing, or talking.

This medicine might make your eyelids droop or make you see blurry or double. If you have weak muscles or trouble seeing do not drive a car, use machinery, or do other dangerous activities.

This medicine contains albumin from human blood. It may be possible to pass an infection in this medicine, but no cases have been reported. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of this medicine.

If your activities have been limited by your condition, go back to your regular routine slowly after treatment with this medicine.

Updated:  

July 17, 2018