This service is available to current clients of the UBC Bladder Care Centre
Visit the UBC Bladder Care Centre webpage to learn about referrals and other services at the Centre.
Bladder Botox is a medication treatment used for an overactive bladder (OAB), with symptoms of urinary incontinence, frequency, and urgency. This medication temporarily relaxes the overactive bladder muscles that may cause urine leakage, with effects lasting about six to nine months.
Botox (also known as OnabotulinumtoxinA) is a sterile form of purified botulinum neurotoxin type A complex. It is used for patients who are intolerant of anticholinergic medications, and who had partial response to their anticholinergic pills (OAB drugs).
Referrals
A doctor's referral is required for Bladder Botox or any test or treatment at the Bladder Care Centre at UBC.
If you are having incontinence issues or bladder issues, please contact your family doctor or Nurse Practitioner or walk-in-clinic physician to be referred to our clinic. A Urologist at the Bladder Care Centre will then review your referral before booking an appointment.
This test cannot be performed if you are pregnant.
Bladder Care Centre Referral Form
Note to referring health-care providers
Fax completed referral forms to (604) 822-6984.
Referral forms must only be filled out by a doctor or Nurse Practitioner. Patients are prohibited from completing this form and referring themselves to the Bladder Care Centre independently. Incomplete referrals will be faxed back to the sender.
Referrals must include:
- a complete referral form,
- a letter outlining medical/psychiatric history, disabilities, mobility aids,
- weight,
- correct pronouns used by the patient,
- current medications and dosage.
Referrals must also clearly indicate if the patient has had any of the following:
- Heart valve replacement or a recent joint replacement
- Heart murmur.
- Is required to take antibiotics due to a heart valve replacement or a recent joint replacement.
- An artificial urinary sphincter.
What to expect
The treatment is performed by a urologist under local anesthetic with a nurse present. The Botox is injected into the bladder wall/muscle with a fine needle through a cystoscope, which is a medical instrument that allows the urologist to observe the bladder while making the Botox injections.
The bladder Botox appointment, which includes a procedure and review with the doctor, takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes. At the end of the appointment, your doctor will discuss the next appointment with you, and you can schedule an appointment accordingly.
Side effects
Side effects for bladder Botox are not common and are temporary. Please contact your doctor if you are experiencing any issues with urination. Side effects may include:
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Pain while urinating
- Difficulty urinating
- Inability to empty your bladder
More commonly, some people experience the following for one to two days after the treatment:
- Mild pelvic or abdominal discomfort
- Some blood in urine or irritation while urinating.
Your urologist may prescribe one to three days of antibiotic pills to prevent infection.
After your appointment
You can typically return to work and/or other usual activities after treatment. After your appointment, follow the General Home Instructions for the full after-care instructions.
Getting ready for your appointment
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How long to park if you are driving to your Bladder Care Centre appointment.
If you are driving to your appointment, make sure to pay for long enough parking for your appointment. We have provided suggested lengths of parking, depending on your appointment type.
- Urodynamics: Expect to stay for over 2.5 to 3 hours in the Centre.
- Bladder botox: Expect to stay for 45 to 60 minutes in the Centre.
- Cystoscopy: Expect to stay for over 2 to 2.5 hours in in the Centre.
- Video Urodyamics: Expect to stay 60 to 90 minutes.
- Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy: Expect to stay for 45 to 60 minutes in the Centre.
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Bladder Care Centre cancellation policy
Please provide 48 business hours' notice for appointment cancellations. If you feel unwell or have flu-like symptoms on the day of your appointment, call us to cancel and reschedule.
No show and late cancellation policy
Patients who do not show up or cancel their appointment less than 24 business hours beforehand without a valid reason for cancellation may be charged a fee by the urologists (from their private office). The Bladder Care Centre staff have no control over this fee charge.
Important cancellation reminders
Your appointment is important to us. Please review the following notices to ensure your appointment does not get cancelled:
- Please arrive on time for your appointment to ensure your test can be completed. If you are more than 10 minutes late, your test may be cancelled, and you will need to reschedule.
- If you are experiencing symptoms/illness such as diarrhea, vomiting, cough, colds, flu, bladder infection, or fever, please call to reschedule your appointment. If you arrive at the clinic with any of these symptoms, your appointment will be cancelled.
- If you use a cane, crutches, walker, or wheelchair and require assistance with walking or undressing, please bring someone to help you.
- Physicians may need to reschedule appointments due to sudden schedule changes. If this happens, we will rebook your appointment accordingly.
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When to reschedule your Bladder Care Centre appointment
Call the Bladder Care Centre and reschedule your appointment if you are feeling unwell and have any of the symptoms listed below. If you arrive at the centre with these symptoms, we will cancel your test(s), and you will be sent home.
- Fever
Cough
Runny nose
Sore throat
Headache
Loose bowel movements/diarrhea
Vomiting
Chills
Any flu/cold-like symptoms
Bladder infection
- Fever
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What to bring to your Bladder Care Centre appointment
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Your Care Card or BC Services Card
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A list of all medications you are taking.
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Antibiotics, if you are taking any. If you take antibiotics due to a heart valve replacement, a recent joint replacement, or you have a heart murmur, you must bring your own antibiotics to your test. Antibiotics are not provided.
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Your own incontinence products. We do not carry incontinence products.
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If you have your own face masks, we suggest that you wear one during your appointment. Masks will not be provided.
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When to bring someone to help you
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If you use a cane, crutches, walker or wheelchair and if need help with walking, dressing, undressing or transferring, you must bring someone who can help you.
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If you have difficulty with English, bring someone with you to help with translation. This person must have a good understanding of English. The translator is with you during your test.
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What to do in the morning of your Bladder Care Centre appointment
- Drink approximately two to three cups of fluid (water, cranberry juice, milk, herbal tea) 30 to 60 minutes prior to your test so that you arrive at the clinic with a comfortable urge to urinate (empty your bladder). If you have an indwelling Foley or suprapubic catheter, or self-catheterize, you do not need to drink extra water.
- Avoid drinks with caffeine on the day of your test (e.g. coffee, tea, colas).
- You may eat and drink before the test.
- Take a bath or shower the morning of your appointment.
- You may find it more comfortable if you have a bowel movement before coming to the clinic. This is not essential.
- Do not empty your bladder when you arrive at the clinic. Speak with the nurse if you feel you must empty your bladder.
Bladder Botox at Bladder Care Centre
- Main phone: 604-822-6143
- Secondary phone: 604-822-4810