Migraine Botox in Bursa
What is migraine Botox?
Botulinum toxin type A was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2010 for the preventive treatment of chronic migraine; it is also used for this indication in Europe and Türkiye. The application is performed at defined points on the forehead, temples, nape, back of the head and shoulder-neck area, following the protocol described in international studies (PREEMPT). It is the same active substance as aesthetic Botox; however, the dose, number of injection points and purpose are different.
The toxin is thought to reduce the release of certain substances involved in pain transmission in migraine. The treatment does not eliminate migraine; it aims to reduce the number of headache days and the severity of attacks. The response varies from person to person.
Who is it suitable for?
The approved indication is chronic migraine: having headaches on 15 or more days a month for at least 3 months, with the pain having migraine features on at least 8 of those days. The efficacy of botulinum toxin has not been shown in migraine with headaches on fewer than 15 days a month (episodic migraine). It is usually considered for patients who have not benefited sufficiently from at least two or three different preventive medications or who cannot tolerate these medications.
Why together with neurology?
A neurological examination distinguishes whether a headache is migraine, or whether it is being confused with headache due to painkiller overuse (medication-overuse headache), tension-type headache or another neurological disease. For this reason, the diagnosis and the chronic migraine indication need to be made or confirmed by a neurologist. At our practice, the application is planned in line with the result and recommendation of the neurology evaluation; communication with the neurologist is also maintained during follow-up. Symptoms such as a sudden-onset, very severe headache, loss of strength, or visual or speech disturbance require emergency care; these situations are not a matter for Botox evaluation.
Who is it not suitable for?
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding,
- Neuromuscular diseases such as myasthenia gravis,
- Allergy to botulinum toxin,
- Infection at the injection sites,
- Headache without a clear diagnosis.
How is it performed?
The headache diary and neurology report are reviewed, and medications in use are asked about. The application is performed in a seated position, with a very fine needle, at about 31 points defined in the protocol; additional points may be planned according to the areas where the pain is concentrated. The procedure takes about 15–20 minutes, and the person returns to daily life the same day. The application is usually repeated every 12 weeks.
When does the effect begin, and how long does it last?
In some patients, the first effects are noticed within 2–4 weeks; however, at least two treatment cycles (about 6 months) are usually allowed before the response is evaluated. The effect of each application lasts about 3 months. A headache diary is the most important tool for measuring the response. If there is no marked reduction after two or three cycles, continuing the treatment is re-evaluated together with the neurologist.
Possible side effects
The most common are pain at the injection site, neck pain or temporary weakness of the neck muscles, a temporary increase in headache and drooping of the eyelid. These effects are mostly temporary. Signs of distant spread, such as difficulty swallowing or breathing, are very rare and require emergency evaluation.
Points to note after the application
- For the first 4 hours, do not massage the injection sites.
- Avoid strenuous exercise on the same day.
- Do not discontinue the preventive and acute attack medications recommended by your neurologist on your own.
- Continue keeping a headache diary; bring it to your follow-up visit and neurology appointment.
Migraine Botox in Bursa
At our private practice in Nilüfer, migraine Botox is planned for patients with a diagnosis of chronic migraine established through a neurology evaluation. The use of the same active substance in the jaw muscle is described on the teeth grinding Botox page, and its use for expression lines on the Botox page.
Treatments are performed by a physician holding a medical aesthetics certificate approved by the Turkish Ministry of Health. Op. Dr. Hakan Sağer is an Obstetrician & Gynecologist.
This content is for information purposes only; a physician's examination is required for diagnosis and treatment.
Frequently asked questions
Who is migraine Botox for?
The approved indication is chronic migraine: having headaches on 15 or more days a month for at least 3 months, with at least 8 of those days having migraine features. Its efficacy has not been shown in episodic migraine, with pain on fewer than 15 days a month. Diagnosis and the assessment of the indication are carried out together with a neurologist.
Does migraine Botox make migraine go away completely?
Botox does not eliminate migraine. It is a preventive option in chronic migraine; the aim is to reduce the number of headache days and the severity of attacks. The response varies from person to person; some patients see a marked reduction, while in others it remains limited.
Do I need to see a neurologist for migraine Botox?
Yes. Whether the headache is migraine and whether it meets the criteria for chronic migraine are determined by a neurological examination. Conditions such as medication-overuse headache must also be addressed separately. The application is planned in line with the result of the neurology evaluation.
How many injection points does migraine Botox involve, and how long does it take?
In the standard protocol, injections are given at about 31 points on the forehead, temples, nape, back of the head and shoulder-neck area; if needed, additional points are planned in areas where the pain is intense. The procedure takes about 15–20 minutes, and the person returns to daily life the same day.
When is the effect of migraine Botox seen?
Some patients notice a change within 2–4 weeks; however, at least two treatment cycles are usually allowed before the response is evaluated. Applications are repeated about every 12 weeks. Keeping a headache diary allows the change to be measured accurately.
Is migraine Botox the same as aesthetic Botox?
The active substance is the same; the purpose, dose, number of injection points and application protocol are different. The migraine application covers many points in the head and neck muscles and is based on a medical indication. Softening of expression lines on the forehead may also be seen, but this is not the aim of the application.
What are the side effects of migraine Botox?
The most common are pain at the injection site, neck pain or temporary weakness of the neck muscles, a temporary increase in headache and drooping of the eyelid. These effects are mostly temporary. Symptoms such as difficulty swallowing or breathing are very rare and require emergency evaluation.
What is the fee for migraine Botox?
The fee depends on the area to be treated, the amount of product to be used and the plan determined at the examination. For this reason, no figures are given on the website; the fee is determined after the examination. For information, you can call 0 (539) 463 09 72 or send a message on WhatsApp.
Op. Dr. Hakan Sağer is an Obstetrician & Gynecologist. He completed his specialty training at the University of Health Sciences (SBÜ) Bursa Yüksek İhtisas Training and Research Hospital; since 2024 he has been seeing patients for pregnancy follow-up, gynecological conditions and aesthetic gynecology at his private practice in Nilüfer, Bursa. The articles on this website are for informational purposes.
This website is for information only and is not advertising. Its content does not replace an examination by a physician. The information on this page is not personal medical advice; the decision on any procedure is made together with the doctor after an examination.