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 Botox Treatment for Overactive Bladder

Overactive bladder causes frequent and sudden urges to urinate, which may be accompanied by inability to hold urine (incontinence). It is caused by the muscles of the bladder contracting at inappropriate times, regardless of how full of urine the bladder is.  The urge to urinate can be quite strong.   Overactive bladder is a common condition affecting millions of adults. Anyone can develop overactive bladder but it is more common in women and as people get older.

There are many treatments, including lifestyle changes, Kegel exercises, biofeedback, nerve stimulation and medications, for overactive bladder.  BOTOX® Cosmetic is FDA approved for treating overactive bladder in patients who have not found relief with other forms of therapy. BOTOX Cosmetic works by temporarily paralyzing muscles and blocks nerves.  When used to treat overactive bladder, BOTOX injections relax the bladder, increasing its storage capacity and lessening both the urge to urinate and the potential for incontinence of urine. BOTOX Cosmetic does not affect surrounding muscles, so their proper functionality is maintained.   

 Candidates For Botox Treatment

Candidates for BOTOX injections to treat an overactive bladder include most adult patients who have tried various forms of traditional treatments including those who have taken medications or made lifestyle changes without experiencing relief from their symptoms. The majority of patients who receive Botox injections, will see improvement in their urinary symptoms.  BOTOX Cosmetic may not be considered appropriate, however, for those patients who:

●     Are allergic to any of its ingredients

●     Have an active urinary tract infection

●     Suffer from certain nerve or muscle disorders 

 The BOTOX Procedure

BOTOX injection is performed in the operating room under anesthesia.  The procedure generally lasts about 20 to 30 minutes. BOTOX Cosmetic is injected into various areas of the bladder through the urethra using a cystoscopy.  Approximately between 10 and 20 locations are injected. Exactly how many areas are injected depends on the severity of the condition.  The following day you can return to work or normal activities.  BOTOX injections generally provide relief of overactive bladder symptoms for approximately 4 to 6 months, which means that most patients will require repeat treatments.

Risks OF BOTOX Injections

Treating an overactive bladder with BOTOX injections is considered safe, although there are certain risks. Potential risks may include (but not limited to):

●     Urinary tract infection

●     Muscle weakness

●     Painful urination

●     Difficulty emptying the bladder completely

●     Urinary retention which may require a catheter temporarily