The effects of Botox on the bladder are not permanent, but they do provide relief for a significant amount of time. On average, patients experience the effects of Botox for 6 to 12 months, with a median duration of 7.5 months. After this period, it is necessary to repeat the injection to maintain the clinical effect. The good news is that most people get quick relief from symptoms in just a few days. The median duration of catheterization after injection in patients treated with 200 units of Botox (n=3) was 289 days (minimum of 1 day to maximum 530 days), compared to the median duration of 358 days (minimum of 2 days to a maximum of 379 days) of patients who received placebo (n=).A possible side effect is urine retention, and it is not recommended for men at risk or a history of prostate enlargement.
BOTOX can also cause loss of strength or general muscle weakness, vision problems, or dizziness within hours or weeks after receiving BOTOX. If this happens, do not drive a car, operate machinery, or do other hazardous activities. If you have problems urinating after Botox injections into the bladder, you should see your doctor. Your doctor may monitor you for any respiratory problems during treatment with BOTOX to detect detrusor hyperactivity associated with a neurological condition. The effects of Botox last approximately 6 months and should then be re-injected when the patient notices that the benefits are disappearing. Botox bladder injections cost comparable to most insurance coverage for oral medications, InterStim, or percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS).
Bladder Botox usually lasts for six months, at which time you can schedule an appointment to have the procedure done again. Do not receive BOTOX for the treatment of urinary incontinence if you have a urinary tract infection (UTI) or cannot empty your bladder on your own and catheterization is not done routinely. Botox is an option for treating imperative incontinence or overactive bladder in people who have not had success with other treatment options. Most patients see a reduction in involuntary urine loss two weeks after receiving Botox in the bladder and its full effects after 12 weeks. Botox requires less time than PTNS, since patients with PTNS require an initial treatment of 12 weeks. Botox is administered through the cystoscope through a series of rapid injections into specific areas of the patient's bladder muscle. Patients with diabetes mellitus treated with BOTOX were more likely to develop urinary retention than non-diabetics.
At Urology Associates, Botox is administered under general anesthesia or sedation in an outpatient surgical center. Most major health insurance providers, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover the cost of Botox medical treatments.
