Abobotulinumtoxin A Injection

Conditions Treated

AbobotulinumtoxinA injection is used to relieve the symptoms of cervical dystonia (spasmodic torticollis; uncontrollable tightening of the neck muscles that may cause neck pain and abnormal head positions). AbobotulinumtoxinA injection is also used to temporarily smooth frown lines (wrinkles between the eyebrows). AbobotulinumtoxinA injection is in a class of medications called neurotoxins. It works by blocking the nerve signals that cause uncontrollable tightening and movement of the muscles.

Possible Side Effects

What Side Effects Can This Cause?

AbobotulinumtoxinA injection may cause side effects. Ask your doctor which side effects you are most likely to experience since some side effects may be related to (or occur more often in) the part of the body where you received the injection. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• pain or tenderness in the place where you received the injection
• headache
• swelling of the inside of the nose and throat
• dry mouth
• neck, bone, or muscle pain
• tiredness
• nausea

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:

• vision changes
• eyelid swelling
• itching
• rash
• hives
• dizziness
• fainting

AbobotulinumtoxinA injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving this medication.If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

Usage Instructions

How Should This Medication Be Used

AbobotulinumtoxinA injection comes as a powder to be mixed with a liquid and injected into affected muscles by a doctor. Your doctor will choose the best place to inject the medication in order to treat your condition. You may receive additional injections of abobotulinumtoxinA every 3 to 4 months, depending on your condition and how long the effects of the treatment last. If you are receiving abobotulinumtoxinA injection for cervical dystonia, your doctor will probably start you on a low dose and gradually change your dose according to your response to the medication. One brand or type of botulinum toxin cannot be substituted for another. AbobotulinumtoxinA injection may help control your condition but will not cure it. If you are using abobotulinumtoxinA to treat cervical dystonia, it may take 2 weeks or longer before you feel the full benefit of abobotulinumtoxinA injection.

What Dietary Instructions Should I Follow

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Are There Any Special Instructions

Before receiving abobotulinumtoxinA injection, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to abobotulinumtoxinA, incobotulinumtoxinA (Xeomin), onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox), rimabotulinumtoxinB (Myobloc), any other medications, cow's milk protein, or any of the ingredients in abobotulinumtoxinA injection. Ask your pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients. tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: certain antibiotics such as amikacin, clindamycin (Cleocin), colistimethate (Coly-Mycin), gentamicin, kanamycin, lincomycin (Lincocin), neomycin (Neo-Fradin, Neo-Rx), polymyxin, streptomycin, and tobramycin (Tobi); cholinesterase inhibitors such as ambenonium (Mytelase), donepezil (Aricept), galantamine (Razadyne), neostigmine (Prostigmin), physostigmine, pyridostigmine (Mestinon, Regonol), rivastigmine (Exelon), and tacrine (Cognex); ipratropium (Atrovent); magnesium sulfate; medications for allergies, colds, irritable bowel disease, motion sickness, Parkinson's disease, sleep, ulcers, or urinary problems; muscle relaxants; and quinidine. Also tell your doctor if you have received injections of any botulinum toxin product in the past four months. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. tell your doctor if you have swelling or other signs of infection in the area where abobotulinumtoxinA will be injected. Your doctor will not inject the medication into an infected area. tell your doctor if you have ever had eye or face surgery; or any side effect from any botulinum toxin product and if you have or have ever had any changes in the way your face looks; bleeding problems; diabetes; or a slow or irregular heartbeat. if you will be receiving abotulinumtoxinA to treat wrinkles, your doctor will examine you to see if the medication is likely to work for you. AbotulinumtoxinA may not smooth your wrinkles or may cause other problems if you have drooping eyelids; trouble raising your eyebrows; excess skin on your eyelids; deeply scarred, thick, or oily skin; or if your wrinkles cannot be smoothed by spreading them apart with your fingers. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are receiving abobotulinumtoxinA injection. you should know that abobotulinumtoxinA injection may cause loss of strength or muscle weakness all over the body; blurred vision; or drooping eyelids. If you have any of these symptoms, do not drive a car, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities.