What is botulinum toxin type B?
Botulinum toxin type B is made from the bacteria that causes botulism. Botulinum toxin blocks
nerve activity in the muscles, causing a temporary reduction in muscle activity.
Botulinum toxin type B is used to treat cervical dystonia (severe spasms in the neck muscles).
Botulinum toxin type B may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking botulinum toxin type B?
You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to botulinum toxin.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to
safely receive this medication:
Botulinum toxin type B is made using human plasma (part of the blood) and
may contain viruses and other infectious agents that can cause disease. Although donated human plasma
is screened, tested, and treated to reduce the risk of it containing anything that could cause disease,
there is still a small possibility it could transmit disease. Talk with your doctor about the risks and
benefits of using this medication.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not know whether botulinum toxin is harmful to an
unborn baby. Before you receive this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become
pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether botulinum toxin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing
baby. Do not receive this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take botulinum toxin type B?
Botulinum toxin type B is given as an injection into a muscle. A doctor, nurse, or other
healthcare provider will give you this injection.
It may take up about 4 weeks after injection before neck muscle spasm symptoms begin to
improve.
The effects of a botulinum toxin injection are temporary. Your symptoms may return
completely within 3 months after an injection. After repeat injections, it may take less and less time
before your symptoms return, especially if your body develops antibodies to the botulinum toxin.
Do not seek botulinum toxin injections from more than one medical professional at a time.
If you switch healthcare providers, be sure to tell your new provider how long it has been since your
last botulinum toxin injection.
Using this medication more often than prescribed will not make it more effective and may result
in serious side effects.
What happens if I miss a dose of botulinum toxin type B?
Since botulinum toxin has a temporary effect and is given at widely spaced intervals, missing a
dose is not likely to be harmful.
Where can I get more information about botulinum toxin type B?
Your pharmacist has information about botulinum toxin type B written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of botulinum toxin type B?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
The botulinum toxin contained in this medication can spread to other body
areas beyond where it was injected.
This has caused serious life-threatening side effects in
some people receiving botulism toxin injections, even for cosmetic purposes.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects, some of which can
occur up to several weeks after an injection:
-
trouble breathing, talking, or swallowing;
-
unusual or severe muscle weakness (especially in a body
area that was not injected with the medication);
-
loss of bladder control; or
-
chest pain.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
dry mouth, nausea, upset stomach;
-
pain where the injection was given;
-
headache, back or joint pain;
-
cough, runny nose, throat, flu symptoms;
-
pain or stiffness in your neck;
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dizziness, drowsiness, anxiety; or
-
muscle weakness near where the medicine was injected.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about botulinum toxin type B?
The botulinum toxin contained in this medication can spread to other body
areas beyond where it was injected.
This has caused serious life-threatening side effects in
some people receiving botulism toxin injections, even for cosmetic purposes.
Call your doctor at once if you have drooping eyelids, vision problems, severe muscle
weakness, loss of bladder control, or trouble breathing, talking, or swallowing. Some of these effects
can occur up to several weeks after a botulinum toxin injection.
Do not seek botulinum toxin injections from more than one medical professional at a time.
If you switch healthcare providers, be sure to tell your new provider how long it has been since your
last botulinum toxin injection.
Using this medication more often than prescribed will not make it more effective and may result
in serious side effects.
You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to botulinum toxin, or if you have
an infection, swelling, or muscle weakness in the area where the medicine will be injected.
Before receiving a botulinum toxin injection, tell your doctor if you have ALS ( Lou Gehrig's
disease), myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome.
The effects of a botulinum toxin injection are temporary. Your symptoms may return
completely within 3 months after an injection. After repeat injections, it may take less and less time
before your symptoms return, especially if your body develops antibodies to the botulinum toxin.
What should I avoid while taking botulinum toxin type B?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity after you
receive a botulinum toxin injection.
What other drugs will affect botulinum toxin type B?
Before you receive this medication, tell your doctor if you are also taking:
-
an antibiotic such as amikacin (Amikin), gentamicin (Garamycin),
kanamycin (Kantrex), neomycin (Mycifradin, Neo-Fradin, Neo-Tab), paromomycin (Humatin,
Paromycin), streptomycin, tobramycin (Nebcin, Tobi).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
botulinum toxin type B. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications,
vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new
medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of botulinum toxin type B?