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How Long Do Side Effects of Botox for Migraines Last?

OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) is a treatment used to treat chronic migraines in adults, which is injected around the head and neck to prevent migraines. The most common side effect of Botox for migraines is neck soreness and pain. Most side effects only last a few days.
OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) is a treatment used to treat chronic migraines in adults, which is injected around the head and neck to prevent migraines. The most common side effect of Botox for migraines is neck soreness and pain. Most side effects only last a few days.

A migraine headache is a neurological disorder that tends to cause a severe headache along with sensitivity to light, sound, or smells. 

OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) is a treatment used in adults for chronic migraine, which is a migraine that occurs 15 or more days per month. It is a toxin injected around the pain fibers involved in headaches, used to block the release of chemicals involved in pain transmission and prevent the activation of pain networks in the brain, thus preventing migraines before they start. 

It can take up to six months to see the maximum benefits from onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) treatments. Effects from treatments last 10 to 12 weeks, and patients report that just two treatments helped cut migraine attacks in half. 

The most common side effect of onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) is neck soreness and pain. This can last days to weeks but can usually be relieved with over-the-counter anti-inflammatories. Other side effects of onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) for migraines include: 

Most side effects of onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) for migraines tend to only last a few days. 

Other treatments for migraine headaches include: 

  • Non-medical treatments
    • Ice
    • Heat
    • Deep breathing
    • Hydration
    • Go into a dark room or cover your eyes
    • Massage
    • Rest
    • Biofeedback
  • Pain relievers
    • Aspirin 
    • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
      • Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
      • Naproxen (Aleve)
      • Ketoprofen (Orudis)
    • Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
    • Analgesics containing caffeine often work best
  • Other medications
    • Triptans
    • Trigger point injections
  • Antiemetics
    • Chlorpromazine, prochlorperazine, droperidol, and diphenhydramine
  • Selective serotonin 1F receptor agonist
    • Lasmiditan (Reyvow)
  • Calcitonin-gene related peptide (CGRP) antagonists
    • Rimegepant (Nurtec)
    • Ubrogepant (Ubrelvy)
  • Ergotamine preparations
    • Ergotamine (Ergomar)
    • Dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal)
  • Neuromodulation
    • Transcutaneous supraorbital nerve stimulation 
    • Remote electrical neuromodulation 
    • Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) 
    • Noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) 
  • Peripheral nerve blocks
    • Occipital nerve blocks 
    • Sphenopalatine ganglion blocks 

What Are Symptoms of Migraines?

Symptoms of migraines can vary from person to person and from migraine to migraine. Symptoms of migraine often have five phases: 

  • Prodrome: warnings before a migraine
    • Change in mood
    • Subtle changes in sensations such as an unusual taste or smell
    • Fatigue
    • Muscle tension 
  • Aura: a visual disturbance that precedes the headache phase
    • Blind spots (scotomas)
    • Geometric patterns or flashing, colorful lights
    • Loss of vision on one side (hemianopsia)
  • Headache
    • Usually occurs on one side of the head, but may occur on both sides
    • This phase may last 4-72 hours
    • Throbbing pain 
    • Nausea
    • Vomiting
    • Sensitivity to light (photophobia) and sound (phonophobia)
  • Headache termination
    • Even without treatment, the pain usually goes away with sleep
  • Postdrome
    • Other signs may linger after the pain has gone away
    • Inability to eat
    • Problems with concentration
    • Fatigue

What Causes Migraines?

The exact cause of migraines is unknown, but genetics and environment play a role. 

Migraine headaches may be triggered by: 

  • Bright lights
  • Certain foods and drinks, such as chocolate, processed foods with monosodium glutamate (MSG), and alcohol
  • Some prescription medications, including nitroglycerin and estrogen
  • Certain smells
  • Changes in estrogen levels for women
  • Exposure to smoke
  • Fatigue
  • Hunger/skipping meals
  • Poor sleep
  • Stress
  • Anger
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Weather changes or changes in barometric pressure
  • Withdrawal from caffeine/suddenly stopping medications that contain caffeine
  • Concussions and traumatic brain injuries

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References
https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/what-is-migraine/

https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/botox-for-migraine/

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/migraines-in-adults-beyond-the-basics?search=migraine&source=search_result&selectedTitle=3~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=3

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/acute-treatment-of-migraine-in-adults?search=headache%20treatment&source=search_result&selectedTitle=7~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=7

https://www.migraineagain.com/how-to-get-rid-of-a-migraine-fast/

https://www.botoxchronicmigraine.com/botox-chronic-migraine-benefits-safety-and-side-effects

https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/botox-suppression-chronic-migraine-commonly-asked-questionsh/