Warning: Botox Side Effects

All medicines carry side effects. In addition to the desired therapeutic outcome, medications could engender adverse effects in individuals taking them. Botox, the popular treatment for facial lines and wrinkles, being also a medicine, has side effects that could affect those who take it. The good news is that majority of those who undergo Botox treatment do not manifest any side effects.

What are the Botox side effects? Extensive clinical studies and trials have been conducted on Botox. In these, the condition of the members of a group of individuals taking Botox was compared with the condition of the members of a control (not taking Botox) group. The study results were then analyzed and it was established that Botox produced the side effects discussed below.

In studies on the use Botox for cosmetic purposes, such as to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and facial lines, it was found that Botox treatments could induce hypertension, tooth problems, indigestion and heartburn in up to 1 percent of those being treated, muscle weakness and facial pain in up to 2 percent, and droopy eyelids and nausea in up to 3 percent.
Studies also show that in about 11 to 21 percent of patients being treated with Botox for certain medical conditions such as hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), cervical dystonia, blepharospasm (eyelid spasms), and strabismus (crossed eyes), the commonly observed Botox side effects include misalignment or vertical deviations of the eyes, difficulty in swallowing, upper respiratory infections, neck pain, droopy eyelids, and headache.

Other common Botox side effects that have been observed are anxiety, cough and runny or stuffy nose, dry mouth, sore throat, bleeding and/or soreness at the injection site, infection, weakness, drowsiness, dizziness, back pain, and flu-like symptoms such as fever and chills. About 2 to 10 percent of people undergoing Botox therapy for any purpose manifest these Botox side effects.

There are Botox side effects that are potentially serious. These side effects should be immediately reported to a medical practitioner. What are these side effects? They include allergic reactions (such as unexplained rashes, itching, hives, unexplained swelling, difficulty in breathing or swallowing, and wheezing), chest pain, double vision, speech problems, and dry eyes (if being treated for muscle spasms near the eyes).

If you experience any of the Botox side effects mentioned above, the best course of action is to let your doctor know at the soonest possible time. There are cases in which it would be difficult to tell the exact cause of a symptom that you are manifesting; it may or may not be caused by Botox treatments. But whatever the cause is, your doctor will know what to do.

In the course of your Botox treatments, just remember that medications can be double-edged swords. The benefits almost always outweigh the disadvantages. The main thing is to recognize Botox side effects and know what to do in case you experience them.

Jane Villardo has been offering advice about Botox cosmetic injections for many years and maintains a website all about Botox. Botoxinjection-facts.com also offers information on facial skin care, plus offers anti aging cream reviews