DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I have suffered with migraines on and off for about five years. Recently, the oral therapy I've used seems to be less effective. While I know newer medications are available, a friend suggested I try Botox injections. She swears it brought her chronic headaches under control. How safe are these injections, and how does Botox work? What is the treatment schedule, and would I also need to be on other headache medication, too?
ANSWER: Onabotulinum toxin A, or Botox, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2010 to treat chronic migraine headaches. It is not a cure. People who receive Botox injections for headaches usually get the treatment about every three months.
For some, that is all they need to keep their headaches under control. For others, additional medication or other headache therapy is necessary. Research is ongoing about new forms of migraine therapy.
