What are the possible side effects of botulinum
toxin?
Side effects seen in people treated with botulinum toxin for
hyperhidrosis:
• Increased sweating in other parts of the body
• Shortness of breath
• Flushing of the skin
• Pain or muscle weakness in the shoulder, upper arm, neck or calf
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nosebleeds
• Twitching of the eyelid muscles
• Numbness or tingling of the skin
Side effects seen in people given botulinum toxin for any illness:
• Tiredness
• Flu-like symptoms
• Generalised weakness
• Bruising, or pain around the site where the injection was given
or a burning sensation at the time the injection is given
• Itching
• Skin rashes and muscle weakness
Seek immediate medical help if at any time after treatment:
• You have any problems breathing, swallowing or speaking, with
or without swelling of the face, lips, tongue and/or throat
• You get severe redness of the skin or an itchy lumpy rash
• You get very dry eyes.
If you get any side effects, talk to your healthcare professional. This
includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.
You can also report suspected adverse events direcly to the Irish
Medicines Board using the online form at www.imb.ie or by using
the freepost yellow card system. The IMB can also be contacted on
01-6764971.
What should you do if you see a different
healthcare professional?
If you see a different healthcare professional for another problem,
make sure you tell them you are having treatment with botulinum
toxin.
Is there anything else you can do to help control
or come to terms with the condition?
As with all forms of long-standing problems, a positive attitude is
important. Learning about hyperhidrosis and talking to other people
who have it may help you to come to terms with your problem and
enable you to find ways of coping with your symptoms. A patient
interest group can help you to talk to other people in your area.
Support from family and friends is important. They may also benefit
from learning more about hyperhidrosis, so that they can better
understand your problems.
If any of the above apply to you, talk to your healthcare professional
straight away. In a small number of cases these side effects could
be serious or even fatal. If a treating physician is not available, seek
urgent medical help.
Who is most at risk of serious side effects?
The risk of these side effects may be higher in people who:
• already have swallowing problems
• already have breathing problems
• already have nerve or muscle problems
• are being treated with medicines which can increase the effect
of botulinum toxin.
For further information, please contact your healthcare professional
Talk to your healthcare professional if you have or have had any
of these problems or if you are taking any other medicines.
Hyperhidrosis
The information leaflet in the medicine pack tells you more about
the possible side effects.
Date of Preparation: September 2013
Some of your
questions answered
IEDYS130905
Creating your solution
CLOSTRIDIUM BOTULINUM TYPE A
TOXIN-HAEMAGGLUTININ COMPLEX
What is this guide for?
This guide provides you with some
important facts about Dysport® that you
need to be aware of. However, it does not
replace the advice given to you by your
healthcare professional. Further very
important information about Dysport®,
including special warnings and side
effects, is included in the patient
information leaflet which is supplied in each package of Dysport®.
If you have not received a patient information leaflet, please
remember to ask your healthcare professional for one and to read
it very carefully.
Do you think you sweat
too much?
You sweat to keep your inner temperature in check. Sweating
protects your body from overheating.
It is normal to sweat more when:
• it is warm
• when you exercise
• when you have a fever or
• if you are nervous, angry, embarrassed or afraid.
How can hyperhidrosis feel like it is
affecting your life?
Hyperhidrosis can affect your life by making your skin wet, this
can:
• make your skin white and soft (macerated). As a result you are
more likely to get bacterial and fungal infections
• affect your professional and social life. For example sweaty palms
could be a problem for certain professions (such as musicians and
electricians). It may make you change jobs. Your job may require
you to shake hands a lot and you may feel insecure and anxious.
You might:
• end up with stained clothes
• need to shower at least twice a day
• wear dark clothes
• keep your jacket on even on a warm day.
People with hyperhidrosis can end up avoiding social contact to the
point where they find themselves socially isolated.
What is hyperhidrosis?
What is botulinum toxin and how does it work?
Hyperhidrosis is the medical term for excessive sweating. It usually
starts when you are young and it will last through your life if you
do not treat it.
It can affect:
• specific areas (localised) or
• be more general (generalised).
Botulinum toxin is a protein that is produced naturally by a
particular type of bacterium which can be used as a medicine to
relax your muscles.
• It can be used as a strong medicine to stop you sweating.
• Tiny amounts are injected just under your skin in the areas that
are affected.
• It binds to the nerve endings of sweat glands and stops the
release of a substance called ‘acetylcholine’. This is what makes
you sweat.
• The injections have been shown to significantly improve focal
hyperhidrosis and provide relief from the psychological and social
burden of hyperhidrosis. 9 out of 10 people treated with
botulinum toxin see their quality of life improved in such a way
that they would recommend it.
When excessive sweating affects only a specific area it can also
be known as ‘focal hyperhidrosis’. Some specific areas include:
• the arm pits (axillary hyperhidrosis)
• the palms of your hands (palmar hyperhidrosis)
• the soles of your feet (plantar hyperhidrosis)
• your face (facial hyperhidrosis)
• your groin, trunk or back.
What causes hyperhidrosis?
There are two types of hyperhidrosis:
• Primary hyperhidrosis - the cause is unknown. It can often occur
in more than one relative in a family. ‘Localised hyperhidrosis’ is
usually primary.
• Secondary hyperhidrosis – is often caused by an underlying
disease. It can also be caused by certain medicines, high
temperatures, and spicy food. ‘Generalised hyperhidrosis’ is
usually secondary.
Both types are thought to be caused by greater than normal nerve
activity. The specific nerves affected belong to a group called the
‘sympathetic nervous system’.
What treatments are available for hyperhidrosis?
A variety of treatment options are available. The choice of
treatment depends on the severity and location of your
hyperhidrosis, as well as the effect the treatment will have on your
life.
Speak to your doctor to find the best treatment for you and your
situation.
How long does it take for botulinum toxin to
start working after injection?
Botulinum toxin should start to work 2 to 3 days after injection.
How long does botulinum toxin last?
The effect is always temporary.
• It usually lasts for 4 to 6 months.
• The effect of the injections slowly wears off.
• A programme of repeat injections is necessary.
Repeat injections work as well as the first injections and you should
remain sweat free for a similar length of time.
It is important that re-treatment is not performed more often than
recommended by the manufacturer.