Allergan, manufacturers of Botox, the commercial name of botulinum toxin type A, have conducted clinical trials which show that their product, widely known as a wrinkle remover, could have the potential to treat chronic migraines.

Migraines are not simple headaches. They’re a neurological illness with as-of-yet unknown causes, which triggers attacks of severe, repeating headaches, which can last from 4 to 72 hours, with some people suffering from additional symptoms like nausea, photophobia, and sometimes an “aura” preceding the headache – a series of disturbances of sight and other senses. Many sufferers of the milder versions of migraines aren’t even aware of their condition, while those with the more severe conditions have difficulty leading their regular lives when the disorder strikes.

Allergan have recently announced the results of their Phase III tests with Botox: The trial consisted of two groups of chronic migraine sufferers, one of which was injected with Botox, the other with a placebo each 12 weeks.

The main goal of the trial was to see if Botox could reduce the number of headaches, and a secondary one was concerned with reducing the number of days headaches lasted.

The test failed with the primary goal, with no significant differences being noted between the Botox group and the placebo. Success, however, has been noted with the secondary goal, the toxin having decreased the duration of headache episodes.

The second part of the Phase III trials shall henceforth focus more on this second goal, as it seems that Botox could be a viable treatment for chronic migraine sufferers, improving their quality of life by reducing the number of days their headaches disable them.