Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Botox’s use in treating bladder conditions.

Are there any long-term side effects from using Botox to treat bladder problems?

In general, you may have side effects within the first week of receiving Botox injections. Most of the time, these side effects are temporary, but sometimes, side effects can last for several months or longer.

But possible long-term side effects of Botox can include:

If I want to use Botox to treat a bladder condition, will my insurance cover it?

It depends. Some insurance plans may offer coverage for Botox injections. Before using Botox, check with your insurance provider to see if you’re covered.

For more information, see the “How much does Botox cost?” section below.

What can I expect after receiving Botox injections for my bladder problem?

After receiving a Botox injection, you may have improved bladder control for about 12 weeks. Some people may still have bladder control after 24 weeks. After this period, the effect of Botox wears off, and you’ll need more injections.

Your experience with Botox injections may vary. If you have questions about the results you can expect with this drug, talk with your doctor. And for more information, see the “How effective is Botox?” section below.

Botox has been shown to be an effective treatment option for bladder problems. In studies, people who received Botox injections for overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms saw improvements in certain symptoms, such as frequent urination, in the 12 weeks after treatment. People also noticed an increase in the amount released during urination.

Another improvement that people using Botox for OAB symptoms noticed after receiving the injections was fewer episodes of urinary incontinence. In studies, these improvements lasted from 19 to 24 weeks.

In other studies of Botox used for OAB symptoms in adults, people reported improvements in their symptoms and in their quality of life.

Two studies looked at adults who had urinary incontinence with detrusor overactivity* linked with a neurological condition. These studies found that people who received Botox injections had fewer episodes of urinary incontinence. These improvements lasted 42 to 48 weeks for at least half the people in the study.

If you have questions about the results you can expect with this drug, talk with your doctor.

* This refers to overactivity of the detrusor muscle, which is the muscle that lines the bladder.

Botox is used to treat the following bladder problems:

Botox is given as an injection into the detrusor muscle (the muscle lining the bladder). You’ll receive these injections at your doctor’s office.

Your doctor will explain the process for receiving Botox for your bladder condition. They’ll also explain how often you’ll need to receive the injections.

* This refers to overactivity of the detrusor muscle, which is the muscle that lines the bladder.

What is the typical dosage for Botox?

Below are commonly used dosages of Botox for bladder conditions. But your doctor will determine the right dosage to fit your needs.

For OAB symptoms in adults, the recommended dose is 100 units of Botox. This is also the maximum recommended dose for treating this condition.

For use in adults with detrusor overactivity caused by a neurological condition, the recommended dose is 200 units of Botox. This is also the recommended maximum dose for treating this condition.

Children’s dosage

Botox is used in children ages 5 years and older with detrusor overactivity caused by a neurological condition. For this purpose, the Botox dose is determined based on the child’s weight:

• For children who weigh at least 75 pounds (34 kilograms), the dose is 200 units of Botox.
• For children who weigh under 75 pounds, the recommended dose is 6 units of Botox for every kilogram of body weight. Your child’s doctor will calculate the appropriate dose for them.

Note: Botox has other uses in addition to treating bladder problems. The dosage may be different for these other uses. To learn more, talk with your doctor.

How is Botox given?

To treat bladder conditions, Botox is given as an injection into the detrusor muscle (the muscle lining the bladder).

At each injection appointment, adults with OAB symptoms or children with detrusor overactivity will receive a Botox injection in 20 sites, located 1 centimeter (cm) apart in the detrusor muscle. (So, each dose is divided into 20 different injection sites.)

Adults with detrusor overactivity will receive a higher dose of Botox, which is injected in 30 sites, located 1 cm apart in the detrusor muscle.

In some cases, your doctor may inject a medication before your Botox injection to help with pain.

Your doctor will monitor you for at least 30 minutes after each Botox injection. If you’re using Botox to treat OAB symptoms, you’ll need to show that you can urinate before leaving your doctor’s office.

If you have questions about what to expect at your injection appointments, talk with your doctor.

How often will I get Botox injections?

How often you receive Botox injections may vary. You’ll need to track the symptoms of your bladder condition so that your doctor can determine how often you need the injections.

The minimum period between injections is 12 weeks, but in some cases, people feel the effects of Botox for longer periods. This means that they may need injections less often.

If you have questions about how often you’ll need to get Botox injections for your condition, talk with your doctor.

The lists below include some of the main side effects that have been reported in people using Botox. For information about other possible side effects of the drug, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

You can also learn more about side effects from this in-depth Botox article or from the drug’s medication guide.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Botox, visit MedWatch.

What are Botox’s mild side effects?

The mild side effects of Botox can vary depending on the condition it’s being used to treat. Some side effects also differ between adults and children using the drug.

Mild side effects reported in people using Botox for overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms include:

Mild side effects reported in people using Botox for detrusor overactivity* linked with a neurological condition include:

Mild side effects reported in children using Botox for detrusor overactivity linked with a neurological condition include:

• UTI
• bacteria in the urine
• leukocytes (a type of blood cell) in the urine

In many cases, mild side effects from the drug can be temporary. Some side effects may be easy to manage, too. But if side effects last for a longer time, or if they bother you or become severe, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* This refers to overactivity of the detrusor muscle, which is the muscle that lines the bladder.

What are Botox’s serious side effects?

In rare cases, serious side effects from Botox injections can occur.

Serious side effects of Botox injections that have been reported include:

• trouble breathing or swallowing
• autonomic dysreflexia (an injury to the spinal cord that can be fatal)
• spreading of toxin effects*
• allergic reaction†

Call your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects while using Botox. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

*Botox has a boxed warning for this side effect. This is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see the “What should I know before using Botox?” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after using Botox. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in studies.

Before you use Botox, there’s some important information to keep in mind. The drug may not be a safe option for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Some of these are mentioned below.

Boxed warning: Spread of toxin effects

This drug has a boxed warning. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Receiving Botox injections can raise your risk for botulism. Botulism is a fatal condition that causes paralysis. In rare cases, Botox may spread away from where it’s injected to other parts of your body. This is known as botulism.

Symptoms of botulism may include:

• muscle weakness all over your body
• double vision or blurred vision
• drooping of your eyelids
• change in or loss of your voice
• loss of bladder control
• trouble breathing or swallowing

If you have any of these symptoms after receiving Botox injections, call 911 (or your local emergency number) right away or seek immediate emergency medical care.

If you have questions about your risk for botulism from Botox injections, talk with your doctor.

What other warnings should I know about?

In addition to the boxed warning described above, Botox has other warnings. If any of the following medical conditions or other health factors apply to you, talk with your doctor before using Botox:

• if you have a history of side effects from any botulinum toxin product
• if you have a condition that affects your muscles or nerves, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or myasthenia gravis
• if you currently have or have a history of breathing problems, such as asthma or emphysema
• if you currently have or have a history of problems with swallowing
• if you currently have or have a history of bleeding disorders
• if you have a urinary tract infection (UTI)
• if you have trouble emptying your bladder on your own
• if you have surgery scheduled
• if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding
• if you’ve had an allergic reaction to the drug or any of its ingredients

Botox injections may interact with other medications you’re taking. Tell your doctor about all drugs you’re using, including prescription and over-the-counter products.

Also, tell your doctor if you:

• have received other botulinum toxin products or injections in the past
• have recently received antibiotics by injection
• use muscle relaxers
• are taking an allergy or cold medication
• use sleep medication
• are taking blood thinners

The price of Botox depends on several factors. These can include your treatment plan, your insurance plan, the pharmacy you use, and your location. For estimates of how much Botox costs, visit GoodRx.com.

Currently, Botox is only available as a brand-name medication. It’s not available in a generic form. (A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication that’s made from chemicals.)