Patient handout · Pain treatments
Botox for Chronic Migraine
What it is
Botox injections may help prevent chronic migraine. Small doses are injected into muscles of the head, neck and shoulders. Treatment is usually repeated about every 12 weeks.
Why it is done
- Adults with chronic migraine (15 or more headache days a month)
- Patients who have tried other preventive medications
- Patients without contraindications to botulinum toxin
What to expect
- Before: Keep a headache diary. We review the treatments you have tried before.
- During: In about 15 to 20 minutes, you get many small shots in the forehead, head, neck and shoulders.
- After: There is no downtime. Benefits may build over a few treatments. Treatment is repeated about every 12 weeks.
Self-care tips
- Keep your usual routine unless we tell you otherwise.
- Keep a symptom diary to share with us.
- Keep up with any home exercises.
- Come to every visit in your series.
When to call us
- Trouble swallowing, speaking or breathing
- Drooping eyelids or neck weakness that worries you
- Headaches that change or get much worse
Call 911 for the worst headache of your life, trouble breathing, or signs of a stroke.
This handout is general information and is not a substitute for medical advice.