HeadWise HeadWise: Volume 3, Issue 2 | Page 25

sclerosis [ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease], myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome). See “What is the most important information I should know about BOTOX and BOTOX Cosmetic?” • have allergies to any botulinum toxin product • had any side effect from any botulinum toxin product in the past • have or have had a breathing problem, such as asthma or emphysema • have or have had swallowing problems • have or have had bleeding problems • have plans to have surgery • had surgery on your face • have weakness of your forehead muscles, such as trouble raising your eyebrows • have drooping eyelids • have any other change in the way your face normally looks • have symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) and are being treated for urinary incontinence. Symptoms of a urinary tract infection may include pain or burning with urination, frequent urination, or fever. • have problems emptying your bladder on your own and are being treated for urinary incontinence • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if BOTOX or BOTOX Cosmetic can harm your unborn baby. • are breast-feeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if BOTOX or BOTOX Cosmetic passes into breast milk. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins and herbal products. Using BOTOX or BOTOX Cosmetic with certain other medicines may cause serious side effects. Do not start any new medicines until you have told your doctor that you have received BOTOX or BOTOX Cosmetic in the past. Especially tell your doctor if you: • have received any other botulinum toxin product in the last four months • have received injections of botulinum toxin, such as Myobloc ® (rimabotulinumtoxinB), Dysport ® (abobotulinumtoxinA), or Xeomin ® (incobotulinumtoxinA) in the past. Be sure your doctor knows exactly which product you received. • have recently received an antibiotic by injection • take muscle relaxants • take an allergy or cold medicine • take a sleep medicine • take anti-platelets (aspirin-like products) and/or anti-coagulants (blood thinners) Ask your doctor if you are not sure if your medicine is one that is listed above. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of your medicines with you to show your doctor and pharmacist each time you get a new medicine. How should I take BOTOX or BOTOX Cosmetic? • BOTOX or BOTOX Cosmetic is an injection that your doctor will give you. • BOTOX is injected into your affected muscles, skin, or bladder. • BOTOX Cosmetic is injected into your affected muscles. • Your doctor may change your dose of BOTOX or BOTOX Cosmetic, until you and your doctor find the best dose for you. • Your doctor will tell you how often you will receive your dose of BOTOX or BOTOX Cosmetic injections. What should I avoid while taking BOTOX or BOTOX Cosmetic? BOTOX and BOTOX Cosmetic may cause loss of strength or general muscle weakness, or vision problems within hours to weeks of taking BOTOX or BOTOX Cosmetic. If this happens, do not drive a car, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities. See “What is the most important information I should know about BOTOX and BOTOX Cosmetic?” What are the possible side effects of BOTOX and BOTOX Cosmetic? BOTOX and BOTOX Cosmetic can cause serious side effects. See “What is the most important information I should know about BOTOX and BOTOX Cosmetic?” Other side effects of BOTOX and BOTOX Cosmetic include: • dry mouth • discomfort or pain at the injection site • tiredness • headache • neck pain • eye problems: double vision, blurred vision, decreased eyesight, drooping eyelids, swelling of your eyelids, and dry eyes. • urinary tract infection in people being treated for urinary incontinence • painful urination in people being treated for urinary incontinence • inability to empty your bladder on your own and are being treated for urinary incontinence. If you have difficulty fully emptying your bladder after getting BOTOX, you may need to use disposable self-c