The anti-wrinkle drug Botox is unlikely to be recommended for the treatment of chronic migraines on the NHS. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has published draft guidelines saying there is insufficient evidence. It wants the manufacturer, Allergan, to provide better data before making a final decision in June. The Migraine Trust said the decision was disappointing. Migraines are severe headaches, which are often accompanied by nausea and vomiting and finding light or sound painful. Chronic migraines are defined as headaches at least 15 days a month, eight of which have to be migraines. In July 2010, Botox was approved as a preventive treatment for chronic migraine in the UK by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency. NICE is deciding whether the injection should be offered across the NHS in England and Wales.
Botox is injected into at least 31 sites around the head and neck every 12 weeks. However, how the neurotoxin might prevent chronic migraines is unknown. One thought is that it relaxes the muscles or possibly interrupts pain signals.
NICE said the injections had been "shown to have some benefit" such as in a trial involving 1,384 patients, published in the journal Headache.
However, it said the effect was small and may have been confused by the way the studies have been conducted. A review in the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin in February 2011 said the was "limited evidence" for using Botox.
Prof Carole Longson, director of the health technology evaluation centre at NICE, said: "Our independent committee is asking Allergan to provide further information and analysis as part of this public consultation, so that it has sufficient evidence to develop sound advice for the NHS regarding the use of Botox for the prevention of headaches in adults with chronic migraine.
The chief executive of The Migraine Trust, Wendy Thomas, told the BBC: "I'm a bit disappointed really. "For these people with chronic migraine, they've already tried various preventative treatments which have failed. For these people their only hope is Botox. "It doesn't work for everybody - it can change people's lives or not make very much difference."
[REF: www.bbc.co.uk]
I agree this use of botox is the only one that doesn't have over 60% effectiveness.
ReplyDeleteA friend that had a botox Toronto treatment to get rid of migraines told me he felt an improvement only after his second session.
People are used to fast results from botox and maybe that's why some of them say this is not as effective as it should be.
I just think it's interesting that some medical aesthetics are now being tested for other uses than just cosmetic/beauty. I hope they are able to find a way for this to help those that have migraines. I have a few friends with constant migraines, and it can really get in the way of living one's life. Does this method just prevent migraines or does it actually get rid of them?
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