Can BOTOX@ treatment help?
BOTOX®
is PDA-approved for severe underarm sweating when topical agents
don't work. BOTOX® treatment helps control this condition
by temporarily blocking the chemical signals from the nerves that
stimulate the sweat glands. When the sweat glands don't receive
chemical signals, the severe sweating stops.
How
effective is BOTOX@ treatment?
BOTOX®
treatment is very effective. One clinical study involved 322 patients
with severe underarm sweating.
• 57 out of 104 BOTOX®
treated patients (55%) achieved an effective response-compared
to only 6 out of 108 treated without BOTOX® (6%).
• 84 out of 104 BOTOX®
treated patients (81%) achieved a greater than 50% reduction in
sweating-compared to only 44 out of 108 treated without BOTOX®
(41%).
What
is treatment with BOTOX@like?
The
procedure is relatively straightforward. A small volume of BOTOX®
solution is injected into the affected underarm area through a
very fine needle. The needle is placed just under the skin, so
you may experience some injection-related discomfort. You will
receive multiple injections based on your doctor's assessment
of the area that needs to be treated.
What
should I expect after I have received BOTOX@ treatment?
You
should notice a significant reduction in underarm sweating within
four weeks of your first treatment. There is a possibility that
some sweat glands may be missed, and you may continue to experience
some sweating from the untreated areas. If you do not see a significant
reduction in sweating, you should contact your healthcare provider
and request a follow-up consultation.
How
long does a BOTOX@ treatment last?
In
a recent clinical study, the median duration of response in BOTOX®
patients was 201 days or 6.7 months (i.e., half of the patients
had a treatment duration of at least 201 days or 6.7 months).1
It is not a cure; your symptoms will return gradually, and you
will know when the time is right for another treatment. Your healthcare
provider will recommend a treatment strategy to ensure that you
receive the best possible results with BOTOX® treatment.
What
happens if I decide to stop treatment?
If
you decide not to have further treatment, there will be no lasting
change in the treated areas. The effects of BOTOX® treatment
will gradually wear off, and your underarm sweating will resume.
Is
BOTOX@ treatment right for me?
Your
healthcare provider can help you decide if BOTOX® treatment
is right for you. In order to make the right treatment decision,
you should discuss the following with your healthcare provider
before receiving BOTOX® injections:
• Your healthcare provider's
experience with BOTOX® treatment
• Effectiveness and side effects
of BOTOX®*
You
should tell your healthcare provider if:
• You are allergic to BOTOX®
product or anything in the preparation
• You have a neuromuscular
disease such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, motor neuropathy,
myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome
• You have an infection at
the intended site of injection
• You are taking antibiotics
or other drugs, such as curare, that may interfere with neuromuscular
transmission
• You are being treated with
any medications
Important
safety information
BOTOX®
treatment is contraindicated in the presence of infection at the
proposed injection site(s) and in individuals with known hypersensitivity
to any ingredient in the formulation.
Patients
with neuromuscular junctional disorders (e.g., myasthenia gravis
or Lambert-Eaton syndrome) should only receive BOTOX® treatment
with caution. Patients with neuromuscular disorders may be at
increased risk of clinically significant systemic effects including
difficulty swallowing and breathing difficulties with typical
doses of BOTOX?
The
most frequently reported side effects (3% to 10% of patients)
following BOTOX® injection were injection-site pain and bleeding,
non-underarm sweating, infection, inflammation of the throat,
flu syndrome, headache, fever, neck or back pain, itching, and
anxiety.
How
can I find out if my insurance covers BOTOX® treatment?
For
years, Allergan has been helping patients and physicians get answers
to their health insurance coverage questions through the BOTOX
ADVANTAGE® Program. Allergan also has more than a decade of
experience with reimbursement for BOTOX® treatment. The BOTOX
ADVANTAGE® Program works with a growing number of insurance
carriers and healthcare providers to facilitate the reimbursement
process. To find out how BOTOX® is covered under your insurance
plan, call the BOTOX ADVANTAGE® Reimbursement Hotline, toll-free,
at 1-800-530-6680, Monday through Friday, from 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern
time.
Additionally,
Hotline representatives will help physicians and patients research
alternative coverage for those who do not have insurance. If alternative
coverage is not available, Hotline representatives will help determine
if you qualify for the BOTOX® Patient Assistance Program.
This program is available to all patients who lack insurance coverage
and demonstrate financial need.
