Botox as a treatment for headache and migraine

A study published in Cephalalgia (Volume 22, Issue 9, page 699, November 2002), evaluated the studies available from reference systems and published congress contributions on the treatment of headache with botulinum toxin A, and classified those studies according to evidence-based medicine criteria.

For the most part, the material reviewed showed both positive and negative evidence, i.e., that results of trials with Botox have so far given contradictory results.

The authors concluded that were was no sufficient positive evidence for a general treatment of headache with Botox, and that further studies are needed.

According to Brain Foundation- funded migraine researcher, Dr Alessandro Zagami (Prince of Wales Hospital), there are scientific trials under way overseas, but results won’t be known until next year (2004). Botox may be considered as a treatment for patients with refractory headaches who have failed all other treatments.

Brain Foundation
June 2003