Botulinum toxin A for headaches in adults: a review of clinical-effectiveness and safety

Perras C, Clark M, Cunningham J
Record ID 32011001254
English
Authors' recommendations: Compared to placebo, there is evidence that BTA is not effective in the management of CTTH or CDH. These results need to be interpreted in light of the fact that CDH includes different types of primary headaches. In addition, one RCT showed significant improvement in a sub-group of patients not receiving concurrent prophylactic medications. There may be sub-groups of patients that benefit from BTA who have not yet been identified in RCTs. In CTTH, all, but one study, were underpowered to detect a clinical difference. No information about the clinical effectiveness of BTA for the management of cluster headaches was found.In summary, evidence from systematic reviews and RCTs indicates that BTA may not be effective for the treatment of CTTH or CDH when compared with placebo. Furthermore, BTA may be associated with adverse effects including focal weakness.
Details
Project Status: Completed
Year Published: 2009
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Not Assigned
Country: Canada
MeSH Terms
  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A
  • Neuromuscular Agents
Contact
Organisation Name: Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health
Contact Address: 600-865 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1S 5S8 Canada. Tel: +1 613 226 2553; Fax: +1 613 226 5392;
Contact Name: requests@cadth.ca
Contact Email: requests@cadth.ca
Copyright: Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH)
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