Botox – used as an anti-wrinkle agent - is unlikely to be recommended for the treatment of chronic migraines on the NHS in England and Wales. According to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) draft guidelines there is insufficient evidence that it works.
Migraines are severe headaches, which are often accompanied by nausea and vomiting and finding light or sound painful. Chronic migraines are defined as headaches at least 15 days a month, eight of which have to be migraines.
In July 2010, Botox was approved as a preventive treatment for chronic migraine in the UK by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency. Botox is injected into at least 31 sites around the head and neck every 12 weeks. However, how the neurotoxin might prevent chronic migraines is unknown. The therapy uses a purified version of botulinum toxin A and it is thought to block overactive nerve impulses which trigger excessive muscle contractions.
NICE is deciding whether the injection should be offered across the NHS in England and Wales. NICE said the injections had been “shown to have some benefit” such as in a trial involving 1,384 patients, published in the journal Headache. However, it said the effect was small and may have been confused by the way the studies have been conducted. A review in the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin in February 2011 said there is “limited evidence” for using Botox.
Prof Carole Longson, director of the health technology evaluation centre at NICE, said, “Our independent committee is asking Allergan to provide further information and analysis as part of this public consultation, so that it has sufficient evidence to develop sound advice for the NHS regarding the use of Botox for the prevention of headaches in adults with chronic migraine. Without this additional evidence, potentially we will be unable to advise the NHS that this drug is good value for money for these adults because there are currently too many uncertainties.” NICE estimated the cost to the NHS would be £349.40 for every 12-week cycle of treatment.
Allegan said it was “working constructively” and would provide new evidence to NICE which it said would demonstrate “that treatment with Botox is both a cost effective and clinically meaningful treatment option for patients suffering from this debilitating condition”.
The chief executive of The Migraine Trust, Wendy Thomas, told the BBC, “I'm a bit disappointed really. For these people with chronic migraine, they've already tried various preventative treatments which have failed. For these people their only hope is Botox. It doesn't work for everybody - it can change people's lives or not make very much difference.”
Joanna Hamilton-Colclough, director of Migraine Action, said using Botox for her headaches had “absolutely transformed my life”. She said, “I've been having chronic headaches for 40 years – I wake up every day with a headache. After my first Botox treatment I woke up the next day feeling ill. At lunchtime I realized that I felt different because I didn't have a headache. I've been able to work without a headache and sleep properly for the first time.” She admitted it did not work for everyone but added that clinical trials also suggested a 50 per cent reduction in migraine days for some patients.
Mrs Hamilton-Colclough said, “We don't think the treatment is expensive when you take into account the cost to the economy from people needing time off work for migraine and to the NHS from A&E treatment.”
Professor Anne MacGregor, a migraine expert at St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, said she was concerned Botox might be used as a 'quick fix' for chronic headaches. She added, “It's not a blanket treatment but it might be appropriate for a small number of patients.”
A decision from NICE is expected in June.
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