Do you sometimes experience constant blinking, neck twitching, or painful muscle tightness in your arms? You may also be concerned about frown lines on your face, especially between your eyebrows. In this article, we will talk about a special injection that doctors use to treat several of these conditions. It is called IncobotulinumtoxinA.
Simply put, what is this IncobotulinumtoxinA vaccine?
IncobotulinumtoxinA is a type of drug called a ``Neuro-muscular blocker''. That is, it is a drug that temporarily blocks the signals from our nerves to our muscles, helping them relax. Imagine, if a muscle is too tight and twitching, this injection blocks the corresponding nerve signal for a while. Then the muscle relaxes, and the problem is controlled.
This vaccine is most commonly known in Sri Lanka and around the world by the brand name `Xeomin`.
What are the main uses of this vaccine?
- Eyelid spasms: Uncontrollable twitching of the eyelids.
- Neck muscle spasms: Conditions in which the neck muscles become painfully tight, causing the neck to be pulled to one side.
- Hand and arm muscle spasms: For muscle spasms in the hand that occur after conditions such as stroke.
- Drooling: To control excessive salivation caused by some neurological conditions.
- Frown lines: For cosmetic purposes, especially to temporarily erase deep wrinkles that form between the eyebrows.
The most important thing is that this is a treatment that should only be given by a specialist. Never go and get this kind of treatment on your own.
What should I tell the doctor before starting this treatment?
Before giving you this vaccine, your doctor will need to know your complete health history. So, be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
- If you have bleeding disorders .
- If you have a condition like cerebral palsy.
- If you have difficulty swallowing food .
- If you have previously had surgery at the site where this vaccine is to be injected.
- If there is an infection at the injection site.
- If you have a lung or respiratory disease such as asthma.
- Another disease involving the nervous system or muscles, such as myasthenia gravisIf there is.
- If you are planning to have any surgery in the future.
- If you have previously had an allergic reaction to a medicine such as botulinum toxin, albumin, sucrose, or any other medicine, food, or dye.
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant .
- If you are a mother who is breastfeeding .
Providing this information accurately is very important to ensure safe treatment.
How is this vaccine given and what precautions should be taken?
This is not a medicine you can take home and use. It is only given by a qualified doctor in a hospital or clinic , directly into the problem muscle.
Even children over 2 years old are given this treatment for some specific conditions, but it is done with great caution and under strict medical supervision.
What to do if you get too much medicine?
This is unlikely to happen as it is given in a hospital setting. However, if you think you may have overdosed on this medicine, or if you develop severe symptoms after treatment, contact the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital immediately , or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Other drugs that may interact with this medicine (Drug Interactions)
If you are taking other medications, it is important to tell your doctor about them as well. Some medications can affect the effectiveness of the IncobotulinumtoxinA vaccine. See the table below.
| Drug category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Aminoglycoside antibiotics | Gentamicin, Neomycin, Tobramycin |
| Medicines for allergies, coughs, and colds (Antihistamines) | Drugs like Piriton, Cetirizine |
| Muscle relaxants | Drugs like diazepam |
| Blood thinners | Warfarin, Enoxaparin, Aspirin |
| Some sleeping pills | Some types of sleeping pills |
| Other botulinum toxin injections | Other types, such as Botox and Dysport |
This list is not complete, so be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, and herbal products you are taking.
What side effects might I have?
Like any medicine, this vaccine can cause some side effects. Although not everybody gets them, some of them go away quickly, while others may require medical attention.
| Side effects of the IncobotulinumtoxinA (Xeomin) vaccine | |
|---|---|
| 🚨 Serious side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. |
| Breathing problems | Difficulty breathing, chest tightness. |
| Swallowing/Speech problems | Difficulty swallowing, voice changes, slurred speech. |
| Changes in vision | Blurred vision, seeing only one or two things. |
| Severe muscle weakness | Unusual weakness in other parts of the body, other than the injection site. |
| 👍 Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Pain or bruising where the injection was given | This usually goes away in a few days. |
| Drooping eyelid | This can occur, especially when treating facial wrinkles. This is temporary. |
| Dry mouth or eyes | Drinking enough water can provide relief. |
| Symptoms such as headache, sore throat, and cold | These usually go away within a few days. |
Driving and dangerous activities
If you experience muscle weakness, blurred vision, or drooping eyelids after treatment, please refrain from driving, operating machinery, or other hazardous activities. Be patient until these symptoms disappear.
Take-Home Message
- IncobotulinumtoxinA (Xeomin) is a special injection used for muscle stiffness, spasms, and cosmetic purposes.
- Before starting this treatment, be sure to tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions and other medications you are taking.
- This is a treatment that is only provided by a qualified doctor in a hospital or clinic.
- If you experience difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, difficulty speaking, or a severe allergic reaction after treatment, seek medical advice immediately.
- Avoid driving if you experience blurred vision or excessive sleepiness.
- If you have any concerns about this treatment, never be afraid to discuss it with your doctor.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 What disease are Famotidine (Famotidine / Pepcid) tablets used for?
This is a highly effective H2 Receptor Blocker drug in the world that helps patients with gastritis, gastric/duodenal ulcers, and GERD/heartburn stop the production of acid! It works similarly to Omeprazole, but is a different generation and works faster.
💬 How does this gastritis pill (Famotidine) stop the production of acid in the stomach?
Our stomach has special cells that produce acid (Parietal cells). The button that tells those machines to produce acid is pressed by a chemical called 'Histamine'. As soon as this pill enters the stomach, the histamine button (H2 Receptors) in those cells is completely blocked/closed and locked. Since the button cannot be pressed, the acid machine is turned off, and within hours, the heartburn and ulcer pain are relieved.
💬 Why doesn't this have as many strong side effects as regular gastritis pills (Omeprazole)?
That's the biggest advantage of this! It doesn't change the liver enzymes (CYP450) like other drugs (like Omeprazole), so it has very few drug interactions with other medications you're taking. However, it can cause 'throbbing headaches' and dizziness in some people. Also, if you continue to take it for years, you're likely to develop vitamin B12 deficiency, anemia, and nerve damage.
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