Migraine can take over your work, sleep, and daily life when attacks come often. For people with frequent, disabling headaches, one of the most effective preventive options is one you might not expect: Botox. The same treatment known for smoothing wrinkles is also FDA-approved to help prevent chronic migraine. Here is how it works, who it helps, and what to expect.
Does Botox actually work for migraines?
For chronic migraine, yes. Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) is FDA-approved as a preventive treatment for adults who have headache on 15 or more days a month. In studies, it reduced the number of headache days people had. It is important to know that Botox is preventive: it works to make migraines happen less often over time, and it does not stop a migraine that has already started.
How does Botox prevent migraines?
Botox is given as a series of small injections around the head and neck. It is thought to block the release of chemicals involved in pain signaling and to calm the nerve endings that trigger migraine attacks. Over time, this can mean fewer attacks that are often less severe. You can read more on our Botox for chronic migraine page.
Who is a candidate?
Botox is intended for adults with chronic migraine, generally defined as 15 or more headache days a month with headaches lasting four hours or longer. It is often considered when other preventive medications have not worked well enough. Botox is not FDA-approved for episodic (occasional) migraine, so a neurologist should confirm it is the right fit for you.
What is treatment like?
Treatment takes only a few minutes in our office. Your provider places a series of small injections at set points across the forehead, temples, and neck. There is no downtime, and treatments are repeated about every 12 weeks. Because the benefit builds gradually, we usually recommend giving Botox about six months before judging how well it is working.
Ready to find out if Botox is right for you?
If you live with frequent migraines, request an appointment or call us at (813) 684-5880. Our board-certified providers will confirm whether Botox is a good option and build a plan to help you get back to good health.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with any questions about a medical condition. Read our full medical disclaimer.