FDA Approves Botox for Chronic Migraine Headaches

Yesterday, the Food and Drug Administration announced approval for Botox to be used as a preventive treatment for chronic migraine headaches. The approval means that therapeutic treatments with Botox could begin to surpass the number of cosmetic treatments.

People suffering from chronic migraines regularly experience an intense throbbing pain in one area of the head, a condition that’s often very debilitating.  To help prevent migraines, Botox injections are administered every 12 weeks around the head and neck. The injections are only intended for treating severe headaches that occur more than 14 days in one month. Neurologists believe Botox migraine treatments may work by disrupting the transmission of pain signals to the nerve endings.

Some analysts say Botox sales will dramatically increase, while others remain unconvinced. According to an article in the New York Times, some argue that “minimal” effectiveness and high cost will prevent Botox from being embraced by most doctors and patients.

Read the FDA press release