What is Hyperhidrosis?
It means excessive sweating, underarm sweating and hand sweating usually is very much annoying and can interfere with social activities.
Can Botulinum toxin (Botox or Dysport) treatment help?
Botox and Dysport are both FDA approved for severe underarm sweating when topical agents don’t work.
Botox and Dysport treatment help to control this condition by temporarily blocking the chemical signals from the nerves that stimulate the sweat glands. When the sweat glands don’t receive chemical signals, the severe sweating stops.
What is treatment with Botox or Dysport like?
The procedure is relatively straightforward. A small volume of Botox or Dysport solution is injected into the affected underarm area through a very fine needle. The needle is placed just under the skin, so you may experience some injection-related discomfort. You will receive multiple injections based on Dr. Shafa’s assessment of the area that needs to be treated.
What should I expect after I have received Botox or Dysport treatment?
You should notice a significant reduction in underarm sweating within 4 weeks of your first treatment. There is a possibility that some sweat glands may be missed, and you may continue to experience some sweating from the untreated areas. If you do not see a significant reduction in sweating, you should contact your doctor and request a follow-up consultation.
How effective is Botox or Dysport treatment?
Botox treatment is very effective. Clinical studies found the following…
57 Out of 104 BOTOX® treated patients (55%) achieved an effective response – compared to only 6 out of 108 treated without BOTOX® (6%)
78 out of 104 BOTOX® treated patients (75%) achieved an effective response 4 weeks after treatment 1 compared to only 27 out of 108 treated without BOTOX® (25%)
84 out of 104 BOTOX® treated patients (81%) achieved a greater than 50% reduction in sweating – compared to only 44 out of 108 treated without BOTOX® (41%).
Similar result is expected from Dysport
How long does a Botox or Dysport treatment last when it is injected for excessive sweating?
In a clinical study, the median duration of response in BOTOX® patients was 201 days or 6.7 months (i.e., half of the patients had a treatment duration of at least 201 days or 6.7 months). It is not a cure; your symptoms will return gradually, and you will know when the time is right for another treatment. Your doctor will recommend a treatment strategy to ensure that you receive the best possible results with BOTOX® treatment.
Are there any safety concerns with Botox or Dysport treatment?
BOTOX® has been used therapeutically for over 16 years to treat a variety of medical conditions. It is approved in more than 75 countries. In fact, BOTOX® for therapeutic use remains one of the most widely researched medicines in the world.
Important Safety Information*.
You should not be treated if you have an infection at the injection site or are hypersensitive to any of the ingredients. Serious allergic reactions and cardiac events have been rarely reported. If you think you’re having an allergic reaction or other unusual symptoms, such as difficulty swallowing, speaking, or breathing, call your doctor immediately.
Side effects include injection-site pain and bleeding, non-underarm sweating, infection, sore throat, flu, headache, fever, neck or back pain, itching and anxiety. Patients with certain neuromuscular disorders such as ALS, myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome may be at increased risk of serious side effects.
* Full prescribing information has been provided to your doctor.
Is Botox or Dysport treatment right for me?
Dr. Shafa can help you decide if BOTOX® treatment is right for you. She will inform you about alternative treatments.
How can I find out if my insurance covers Botox or Dysport treatment?
To find out about what kind of coverage your plan offers for BOTOX® talk to Dr. Shafa’s staff or call the BOTOX ADVANTAGE® Reimbursement Hotline at 1-800-530-6680.