Botox injection in riyadh (OnabotulinumtoxinA) is an FDA-approved preventative treatment specifically for chronic migraine in adults. It is not generally approved or effective for episodic migraines (fewer than 15 headache days per month) or other types of headaches like tension or cluster headaches.
Who is a Candidate?
Botox is indicated for patients who meet the criteria for chronic migraine, which is defined as:
- Having headaches on 15 or more days per month.
- Having migraine features on at least 8 of those days.
- Having headaches lasting 4 hours a day or longer.
- In many cases, insurance will only cover the treatment if a patient has failed to respond to a certain number (often 2-4) of traditional oral preventative medications.
How Botox Works for Chronic Migraine
The exact mechanism is complex and different from its muscle-relaxing cosmetic use. It is believed to work by:
- Blocking Pain Signals: Botox is injected into specific muscles around the head and neck, where it is taken up by the peripheral sensory nerve endings.
- Inhibiting Neurotransmitters: Once inside the nerve endings, it blocks the release of chemicals and neurotransmitters, such as Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP)