Neurology · UK
Botox for chronic migraine - consultant-led, done properly.
Consultant-neurologist-led PREEMPT-protocol botulinum toxin for chronic migraine - 31 or 39 injection points across head, neck and shoulders, repeated every 12 weeks.
Why patients choose us
- 01
A named consultant, doing the work
A named UK consultant assesses and treats you - not a delegated junior. Anatomy-led decisions, no upsell.
- 02
Written plan, honest numbers
We come back within one working day with a firm quote across two or three consultant options and a written pathway.
- 03
Independent, and free to you
We are paid by no clinic. The recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What private botox for chronic migraine costs in the UK.
Indicative ranges across our vetted UK network. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three consultant options.
In short
Per session (all injection points): £500–£1,200, repeated every 12 weeks.
| Option | Indicative range | Typical duration | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consultant neurology assessment | £300–£550 | 45 min | Same visit |
| Headache diary review + treatment plan | Included | - | 1 week |
| PREEMPT Botox session (31 or 39 points) | £500–£1,200 | 20–30 min | Every 12 weeks |
| Course of 2 sessions (recommended trial) | £1,000–£2,300 | 6 months | Second at 12 weeks |
| Consultant follow-up (per visit) | £200–£350 | 20 min | Every 12 weeks |
| CGRP injectable trial (alternative or add-on) | £450–£850/month | Self-administered | Monthly |
Prices vary by clinic, by the consultant’s seniority, and by whether combinations are used. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
A protocol treatment, not a cosmetic injection.
Migraine Botox works when it is delivered via the exact PREEMPT protocol, by a consultant neurologist who does it every week - not adapted from a cosmetic clinic.
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Consultant, not delegated
The consultant who assessed you should be the consultant who treats you - not a junior on a busy list.
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Evidence, not sales
The recommendation is what fits your clinical picture - not what the clinic wants to sell you today.
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Written pathway, not verbal promise
The plan, the prices and the follow-up are in writing before you commit - not surfaced when the invoice arrives.
The journey
From enquiry to review - what happens, in order.
One team from first message through consultation, treatment and follow-up.
Phase 1 · Before
Assessment, planning, consent
Phase 2 · On the day
Treatment and aftercare
Phase 3 · After
Follow-up and review
- 01
Before
You tell us what is going on
A short, confidential form. Symptoms, what you have tried, medical history and what you want the outcome to be.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: whether this treatment fits, an alternative that might fit better, a matched consultant, and an indicative price.
- 03
Before
Consultant assessment
A proper hour with the consultant - history, examination, review of any existing scans or notes, honest discussion of expectations.
- 04
Before
Consent and pre-care
Written consent, pre-treatment instructions in writing, medication reconciliation, any tests needed before the day.
- 05
On the day
The treatment itself
Delivered in a CQC-regulated setting by the named consultant. Written record of everything done and used, in your hands before you leave.
- 06
On the day
Immediate aftercare
Written and messaged aftercare - what to expect, what is normal, and when to call. A same-day contact number is provided.
- 07
After
Structured follow-up
Follow-up review at the interval that fits this treatment - included in the pathway, not sold on top.
Typical end-to-end: 1–4 weeks from enquiry to first treatment.
Who it suits
When PREEMPT Botox is the right choice.
The patients who benefit most, and when CGRP or preventive medication is a better first step.
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You have thought about this for a while
Not an impulse - a decision you have carried and want to act on properly.
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You want the right treatment, not the fastest
You want to be seen by a consultant who does this every week, not the next available diary slot.
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You have tried the obvious first steps
GP care, over-the-counter routes, or first-line therapy - and the problem is still there.
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You are otherwise well enough to proceed
Stable on medication, not acutely unwell, not in a flare that would postpone treatment.
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You are willing to follow the plan
Attend the follow-up, take the medicines, do the physio - whichever this treatment needs to work.
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You are prepared for the recovery
You have thought about time off work, help at home and - where relevant - the cost of ongoing care.
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You want a named consultant, not a rotating list
The person who assesses you should be the person who treats you and reviews you afterwards.
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Red flag: you were declined elsewhere and asked us to override
If another consultant has said no on medical grounds, we will not route round that. We will explain why.
Options
PREEMPT Botox, CGRP, or combination therapy.
How the three preventive routes fit together - and when to sequence them.
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Assessment and shared decision
A full consultant hour and honest expectations conversation - the difference between a treatment that suits you and one that only suits the clinic.
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First-line treatment
The evidence-based first option matched to your clinical picture. What most patients start with, and what most get on with well.
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Course-based or staged treatments
Some treatments deliver over three to six visits or in stages. We quote the full course, not a teaser first session.
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Combined modality
The strongest outcomes often come from combining approaches - medical, procedural and behavioural. We plan across the year, not the visit.
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Maintenance
Most conditions need ongoing care after the initial treatment. We build this into the plan up front so you know the real commitment.
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Alternatives to consider
Where a different treatment might suit better, we say so - including newer or older options that the marketing does not push.
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Escalation pathway
What happens if this treatment does not work - the next option, in writing, before you start.
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When to say no or refer
For patients who fall outside criteria, we route to the right specialist or back to NHS care rather than treat regardless.
Our vetted UK network
A small panel of consultants, we picked them.
UK-registered consultants across London and the major UK cities. Introductions are made privately, once we understand your goals.
Selection criteria
How we choose every consultant in our network.
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UK-registered consultants on the GMC Specialist Register, chosen by name - not delegated lists
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CQC-registered clinics and hospitals with a written complications and escalation policy
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Genuine, licensed medicines and current-generation equipment - no grey-market imports
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A same-day contact number and named nursing follow-up after every procedure
Safety and recovery
What to expect afterwards - honestly.
Consultant-led private care is generally low-risk. The things worth planning are candidacy, dose or intensity, downtime and what happens if something is not right.
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A named UK consultant, in a CQC-regulated setting
The consultant who assessed you should be the consultant who treats you. That single change removes most of the safety problems patients tell us about.
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Realistic outcomes, spelled out
What this treatment can and cannot do - and what happens if it does not work. If you are hoping for something this treatment cannot deliver, we say so before you book.
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Written pre-care and aftercare
What to do before, on the day, and after - including medication changes, contraindications and warning signs. In writing and by message, not verbally in a corridor.
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Rare but serious risks
Every treatment has its own list. The consultant discusses them at consent - not glossed, not exaggerated. You take those notes home.
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Contraindications matter
Pregnancy, active infection, uncontrolled cardiovascular disease, immunosuppression, bleeding tendency and drug interactions - all reasons to postpone. We ask, and we listen.
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A same-day contact number
Written aftercare plus a phone number that answers on the day. Complications improve dramatically with early intervention, and hard to reach clinics cost lives.
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Included follow-up
The review appointment is booked before you leave - included in the pathway price, not billed separately when something is not right.
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Escalation to hospital where needed
Any private pathway has to have a plan for when things escalate - which hospital, which team, and how to get there. We insist on this before we route patients.
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Written record and second opinion
You leave with the record, the images and the plan - enough for another consultant to pick up if you ever want a second opinion.
Reading your treatment record
Your treatment record in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever pathway you chose, the record the clinic sends you keeps to the same shape.
A quiet reminder
Keep every note, batch and image on file - it matters if you ever need a second opinion.
If you would like us to review a record from another clinic before your next visit, just ask.
- 01 Assessment
What was recommended and why
The consultant’s written note - history, examination, differential and the plan agreed with you. Read this alongside the pathway.
- 02 Procedure / Treatment
What was actually done
The named procedure, materials, medicines and settings used. Keep this - it matters for future care and for any second opinion.
- 03 Findings
What was found or measured
Any pathology, imaging or intra-procedural findings. Written in plain English alongside the technical terms.
- 04 Plan
Follow-up, medication, warning signs
Read this first: when to come back, medication changes, what is normal, and what needs a same-day phone call.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Insurance cover for this pathway varies by policy - some elements may be covered, others self-pay. Where NHS provision exists but is delayed, private care is the practical route. We check cover before you book.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about botox for chronic migraine.
Quick answers on candidacy, safety, cost and outcomes.
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Is migraine Botox available on the NHS?
Yes, under NICE TA260 for chronic migraine (15+ headache days per month, 8+ migrainous) that has failed at least three preventive medicines. NHS access requires clinic capacity and criteria are strict; waits are often long. Private access is quicker and less bureaucratic.
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How does it work?
The PREEMPT protocol delivers 155 units of botulinum toxin across 31 fixed injection points (with 4 optional follow-the-pain points, total 39, 195 units) in the head, neck and shoulders. It reduces peripheral sensitisation and, over two cycles, reduces headache days.
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How much does private migraine Botox cost in the UK?
Roughly £500–£1,200 per session with a consultant neurologist, repeated every 12 weeks. A recommended two-session trial runs £1,000–£2,300. Response is assessed after the second cycle.
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How quickly does it work?
Effect builds over the first 6–8 weeks after the first session and continues to build after the second. Full assessment of response happens after the second cycle (about 24 weeks in). Around 50% of patients see a meaningful reduction; a smaller group sees dramatic improvement.
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What about CGRP injectables?
CGRP monoclonal antibodies (erenumab, fremanezumab, galcanezumab, eptinezumab) are a newer alternative or add-on. They may work in patients who fail Botox and vice versa. Some patients benefit from combination therapy.
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Is it safe long-term?
Yes - botulinum toxin has been used for headache for over 15 years. The main side effects are neck weakness, drooping brow, and mild flu-like symptoms for a few days. Long-term treatment does not damage muscle.
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