What is botulinum toxin type A?
Botulinum toxin type A (also known as Botox™) is a medicine used to help muscles relax. A surgeon injects it into the bladder wall in the clinic. During the procedure, the surgeon inserts a special tube with a camera (called a cystoscope) into the urethra to inject the medication into the muscle of the bladder. The injection can be done under nitrous sedation if needed.
Why inject botulinum toxin into the bladder?
Botox injections can be used to treat overactive bladders. Many patients with neurogenic bladder have an overactive bladder muscle, which can cause increased bladder pressure, a small bladder, and urine leakage. The injected medicine blocks electrical impulses from the brain, helping the bladder muscle to relax and hold more urine.
What should I expect before the injection procedure?
A member of our scheduling team will contact you with specific instructions on preparing for your procedure, including whether a pre-procedure urinalysis with your primary care provider is needed, and if any medications are necessary before or after the procedure. Please follow the instructions exactly about when to stop eating and drinking if you will be undergoing nitrous sedation.
If you have any questions about your upcoming procedure, please call the Urology team.
What should I expect after the injection procedure?
Your bladder may be irritated during the procedure. This irritation may cause pink-tinged urine or increased bladder spasms, which should subside in 24 hours.
Please drink plenty of fluids after the procedure. You may return to normal activities the next day.
Please resume your typical bladder care regimen after the procedure, unless instructed differently by your provider.
What about recovery from botulinum toxin injections to the bladder?
It will take up to 2 weeks after the procedure to see the effects of the injections. Effects include increased bladder volumes when catheterizing, decreased bladder spasms, and decreased urinary leakage between catheterizations/voiding.
Your urologist may instruct you to change your bladder medications after the procedure. Please follow these instructions.
The botulinum toxin type A medication will wear off over time, typically around six months. As the medication wears off, you may experience smaller bladder volumes when catheterizing/voiding, increased bladder spasms, and increased leaking between catheterizations/voiding. These are signs that it is time to schedule another injection procedure.
Your Care Team
Regular follow-up is essential after this procedure. Please attend your follow-up appointments with your urology provider so we can monitor your bladder health. Please call Gillette Telehealth (651) 229-3890 or our Urology team if you have any questions or concerns.
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace the advice of your healthcare providers. If you have any questions, talk with your doctor or others on your healthcare team. If you are a Gillette patient with urgent questions or concerns, please contact Telehealth Nursing at 651-229-3890.
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace the advice of your health care providers. If you have any questions, talk with your doctor or others on your health care team. If you are a Gillette patient with urgent questions or concerns, please contact Telehealth Nursing at 651-229-3890.