Treatment for chronic migraine
Recommended by NICE
Botulinum toxin Type A was recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in June 2012 for the prevention of headaches in selected adults with chronic migraine.
Botulinum toxin
What is it?
The toxin is a protein and is produced by a bacterium called Clostridium Botulinum. Botulinum toxin was first introduced in medical practice in the 1970s to treat squint and other eye disorders. Since then it has found uses in other areas of medicine and more recently in the treatment of chronic migraine. Only very small doses, enough to weaken but not paralyse muscles, are used medically. High doses of botulinum toxin are known to cause paralysis of muscles.