Cost is the only major issue with Botox injections, which is the only FDA-approved treatment for chronic migraines and which is now covered by almost all insurance companies. It is very safe and highly effective, relieving headaches in 70% of migraine sufferers. A study just published in the journal Headache suggests that Botox may be not only clinically effective, but also cost-effective.
Researchers from the Renown Neurosciences Institute in Reno, Nevada analyzed data from 230 chronic migraine sufferers who did not respond to two or more prophylactic drugs and were given Botox injections. Botox was given twice, three months apart. Compared with the 6 months before Botox, there were 55% fewer emergency room visits, 59% fewer urgent care visits, and 57% fewer admissions to the hospital. In those 6 months the savings amounted to half of the cost of Botox treatments. Considering that improvement tends to get more pronounced with each subsequent Botox treatment, it is very likely that the costs savings would grow with additional treatments.
Obviously, besides saving money, Botox provides a significant improvement in the quality of people’s lives, which is much harder to measure. At our Center we give Botox to more than a quarter of our patients and see a dramatic improvement in the majority. Botox is not only much more effective for chronic migraines, but it is also much safer than any oral medication.
