botulinum toxin A
Brand names: Botox
Botox is a drug that blocks nerve signals to muscles. It is used to treat a variety of conditions, including overactive bladder, chronic migraines, and muscle spasticity.
What it does
Botox can treat overactive bladder with symptoms like needing to go often, feeling a strong urge, and leaking urine.
Common side effects
Urinary tract infection, Pain when urinating, Inability to fully empty the bladder
Key warnings
Botox can cause the toxin's effects to spread beyond the injection site.
How It Works
Botox works by blocking the release of a chemical called acetylcholine. This chemical tells muscles to contract. By blocking acetylcholine, Botox prevents muscles from contracting.
How to Take It
Botox is given as an injection by a healthcare provider. The dose depends on the condition being treated. The total dose in a 3-month period should not exceed 400 Units for adults or 10 Units/kg (up to 340 Units) for children. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Botox may harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Botox passes into breast milk, so discuss breastfeeding with your doctor.
Missed Dose
Since Botox is administered by a healthcare provider, missing a dose is unlikely. If you have concerns, contact your doctor's office.
Storage
Keep unopened vials of Botox in the refrigerator between 36° to 46°F (2° to 8°C) for up to 36 months.
Serious Warnings
Botox can cause the toxin's effects to spread beyond the injection site. This can cause muscle weakness, trouble seeing, drooping eyelids, trouble swallowing or breathing, voice changes, difficulty speaking clearly, and loss of bladder control. Swallowing and breathing problems can be life-threatening, and there have been reports of death. Seek medical care right away if you have any of these symptoms.
Common Questions
What should I tell my doctor before using Botox?
Can I drive after getting Botox?
How long does Botox last?
What if I have an allergic reaction to Botox?
Can Botox interact with other medications?
What happens if I get too much Botox?
Is Botox the same as Botox Cosmetic?
What if I have a urinary tract infection?
What if I cannot empty my bladder fully?
Who makes Botox?
What are the common side effects of botulinum toxin A?
What drug class is botulinum toxin A?
Is botulinum toxin A safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Neuromuscular Blocker
Other drugs grouped near botulinum toxin A — same-class peers and common alternatives.
baclofen
Lioresal, Gablofen
Baclofen is a muscle relaxant.
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carisoprodol
Soma
Carisoprodol is a muscle relaxant.
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chlorzoxazone
Parafon Forte
Chlorzoxazone is a muscle relaxant.
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cyclobenzaprine
Flexeril, Amrix
Cyclobenzaprine is a muscle relaxant.
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dantrolene
Dantrium
Dantrolene is a muscle relaxant.
Compare with botulinum toxin A →
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What the FDA Data Shows for botulinum toxin A
The FDA label for botulinum toxin A (sold under brand names such as Botox) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Neuromuscular Blocker class. Botox can treat overactive bladder with symptoms like needing to go often, feeling a strong urge, and leaking urine. Official labeling lists 15 commonly reported side effects, including Urinary tract infection, Pain when urinating, Inability to fully empty the bladder.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. Voluntary reports accumulate over the lifetime of a drug and reflect wide-ranging clinical use. Interaction data is drawn directly from FDA-approved prescribing information. Acquisition-cost data is surveyed weekly by CMS and updated as manufacturers report changes.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: November 18, 2023
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages