In the UK, migraine is the most commonly experienced neurological condition, affecting approximately 8 million people. It’s thought that half of all patients go undiagnosed and untreated, but many sufferers find themselves unable to work productively or just carry out simple daily activities when a migraine strikes.
Now, a new study has found that, in comparison to a placebo, Botox injections results in 1.6 fewer migraine attacks a month on average for those suffering more than 15 headaches a month – the NICE guideline for chronic migraine.
With results published in the January issue of the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal, researchers at a university in France analysed clinical trial data into the use of botulinum toxin to treat migraines versus a placebo. The report concluded that, “Botulinum toxin is a safe and well-tolerated treatment that should be proposed to patients with migraine.”
The researchers analysed the data from 17 studies, comprising almost 4,000 patients. More than 82% were women and 43% suffered from chronic migraines, with more than 15 daily episodes per month, with migraine symptoms presenting on at least eight of those days. The other patients suffered from less-frequent episodic migraine headaches.
The treatment programme was typically 15 to 20 shots of botulinum toxin injected around the head and neck, every three to four months, with improvement occurring within just two months. There also seemed to be an improvement for those suffering from episodic migraine. Quality of life also improved as the lessening in migraine frequency was directly linked to a reduction in symptoms of depression and anxiety. Not only did the data show that Botox injections resulted in 1.6 fewer episodes on average, but that the procedure had few serious side effects.
Potential complications associated with Botox injections include muscle weakness, drooping eyelids, double vision and neck pain, but no severe side effects were reported by users. Interestingly, many of the preventative migraine prescription medications available do have much more severe side effects than Botox.
The lead author of the survey, Dr Eva Bruloy, a plastic surgeon, concluded: “For chronic migraine, Botox is a better prophylactic than drugs.”
If you’re interested in learning more about Botox for migraine and how you can offer it to your patients, call Youth Doctors, the only migraine course in the UK and Europe, on 0790 0583 898 to find out more information about our courses.
