A new set of guidelines regarding uses of botulinum toxin A (Botox) supports the findings of recent studies suggesting that the drug is not effective in treating migraine disease or chronic tension type headaches.

Botox Works on Muscle Disorders But Not Migraines

The author of the pain guidelines said a review of all available data revealed that Botox is no more effective than placebo in relieving migraines or chronic tension type headaches and is not recommended for these purposes.

It may be noteworthy, however, that a past study of Botox for migraines found a difference between the type of pain experienced by the migraineur made a difference in the person's reaction to Botox. The migraines of patients experiencing imploding headache (feeling as though the head is being crushed or clamped by external forces) and ocular headache (eye-popping pain) were more responsive to treatment with Botox than the migraines of patients with exploding headache (a build up of pressure inside the head).

This difference may explain why we hear that some migraineurs respond quite favorably to Botox treatments despite the finding that it is statistically no more effective than placebo.

Exploding vs. Imploding Headache in Migraine Prophylaxis
with Botulinum Toxin A

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Content by Diana E. Lee.