What Oral Medications Are Effective At Treating Hemifacial Spasm?

Posted on Fri, 9 Feb 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 9 Feb 2018 Answered on

Mon, 10 Sep 2018 Last reviewed on

Question : I've been diagnosed with hemifacial spasm. I am on botox injections but it does distort my mouth and eye. Is there a medicine I can take orally that would help this problem?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (47 minutes later)

Brief Answer:

Surgery is the best option.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Besides Botox injections, drugs that may be used to control hemifacial spasm include Carbamazepine, Clonazepam, and Baclofen.

Anticonvulsive drugs, such as Gabapentin.

However, drugs are prescribed only for mild cases, best treatment way is considered surgical microdecompression of the facial nerve.

Hope I have answered your query.

Take care

Regards,
Dr. Erion Spaho, Neurologist, Surgical

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee