Abobotulinumtoxina (Injection)

Introduction:

AbobotulinumtoxinA (ay-boh-BOT-yoo-li-num-TOX-in-A)

Treats the abnormal head position and neck pain that result from cervical dystonia (severe muscle spasms of the neck). Also used to get rid of wrinkles between the eyebrows.

Brand Name(s):

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into one of your muscles.
• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using medicine for an infection (such as amikacin, gentamicin, streptomycin, Amidin®, or Garamycin®) a strong muscle relaxant that would be used during surgery (such as atracurium, pancuronium, tubocurarine, vecuronium, Norcuron®, Pavulon®, or Tracrium®), atropine (Lomocot®, Lomotil®, Motofen®, or Sal-Tropine®), or hyoscyamine (Cystospaz®, Hyospaz®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have breathing problems (such as asthma or emphysema), a droopy eyelid, skin problems (such as thick, oily or fatty skin), nerve or muscle problems (such as ALS [Lou Gehrig's disease], Lambert-Eaton syndrome, or myasthenia gravis), or trouble with swallowing. Tell your doctor if you have plans to have surgery or if you already had surgery on the face. Make sure your doctor knows if you have received botulinum toxin for any reason in the past several months.
• This medicine may make your muscles weak and cause vision problems. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you feel weak or are not able to see well.
• One part of this medicine is made from donated human blood. Some human blood products have transmitted certain viruses to people who have received them. The risk of getting a virus from medicines made of human blood has been greatly reduced in recent years. This is the result of required testing of human donors for certain viruses, and testing during the manufacture of these medicines. Although the risk is low, talk with your doctor if you have concerns.
• Serious muscle reactions have been reported within hours to weeks after receiving this medicine. If you start to have muscle weakness or trouble with swallowing, talking, or breathing, call your doctor right away. In some situations, these problems could be life-threatening and may require treatment in a hospital or clinic.
• Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Blistering, peeling, or red skin rash.
• Fever, chills, cough, stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, and body aches.
• Loss of bladder control.
• Pain in the neck.
• Trouble with breathing, speaking, or swallowing.
• Unusual weakness in other muscles (not where the shot was given).

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Blurred or double vision.
• Change or loss of voice.
• Drooping or swelling of the eyelids, or dry eyes.
• Dry mouth.
• Headache.
• Nausea.
• Redness, pain, tenderness, bruising, swelling, or weakness where the shot was given.
• Tiredness.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor: