Botox

Botox

Introduction

BOTOX® belongs to a class of drugs called botulinum toxins. BOTOX®, a focal muscle-relaxing agent, is the brand of botulinum toxin type A made by Allergen.

BOTOX® is the most studied brand of botulinum toxins and has been used to treat over 900,000 patients worldwide for more than 11 years.

What is BOTOX®?

Botox® is a formulation of botulinum toxin type A. It is derived from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. This bacterium produces a protein that blocks the release of acetylcholine and relaxes muscles. Type A is just one of seven different types of botulinum toxin (A, B, C, D, E, F, and G.) and each has different properties and actions. No two of these toxins are alike.

More than 100 years of research have expanded our knowledge of botulinum toxin type A from the identification of the bacterium Clostridium botulinum to the commercialization of botulinum toxin type A as BOTOX®

In the 1960's, the muscle-relaxing properties of Type A were tapped for investigational use in realigning crossed eyes. These early studies paved the way for treating other conditions caused by overactive muscles with type A.

Today, BOTOX® is indicated for the treatment of cervical dystonia in adults to decrease the severity of abnormal head position and associated neck pain. BOTOX® is also indicated for the treatment of belpharospasm associated with dystonia, including benign essential blepharopasm or VII nerve disorders in people 12 years of age and above.

Is BOTOX® a new treatment?

No. BOTOX® has been used for more than 11 years to treat over 900,000 patients worldwide, and its is approved by the health ministries of at least 70 countries. BOTOX® has also been endorsed by the National Institutes of Health since 1990.

How is BOTOX® different from other botulinum toxin treatments?

BOTOX® is allergan's brand of botulinum toxin type A. A brand of botulinum toxin type B is also now available. The two toxins are different in several ways:

They are different serotypes
They have different manufacturing processes
They work differently
They require different doses

How is BOTOX® different from oral treatments?

BOTOX® differs from oral therapies in that it is a non-systemic, focal therapy.

When drugs are taken orally, they are distributed throughout the body by the blood system. The drugs reach not only their desired site of action but also many additional sites. In contrast, BOTOX® is administered directly into the desired site of action. BOTOX® is not expected to present in the blood stream at measurable levels following injection at the recommended doses.

How does BOTOX® Work?

Normally, your brain sends electrochemical messages to your muscles to make them contract and move. These messages are transmitted from a nerve to the muscle by a substance called acetylcholine. When too much acetylcholine is release, muscles become overly active and spasm or tense up.

BOTOX® blocks the nerve from releasing acetylcholine. As a result, the muscle spasms stop or are greatly reduced, providing relief from symptoms. Your health care provider will know how much BOTOX® is needed to treat you effectively.

It is important to remember that botulinum toxin treatment is not a cure. For many people, however, its effects have been dramatic. With BOTOX®, the nerve will take about 3 months to recover and begin to release acetylcholine, and the muscles may become overactive again. At that point, another injection will be needed to provide relief, as long as no allergic reactions or other significant side effects occurred and clinical response was obtained.

Does the injection hurt?

Some people report minor, temporary discomfort from the injection. BOTOX® is reconstituted with sterile, preservative-free, normal saline for injection. The neutral pH of the injected solution, in combination with the fine-gauge needle your doctor will use, can help to minimize any injection-related pain.

When will BOTOX® start to work?

If you are receiving BOTOX® for cervical dystonia, you'll usually see the effects within 2 weeks of the injection. If you're receiving BOTOX® for blepharospasm, you'll usually see effects within 3 days.

How long will the effect last?

BOTOX® offers sustained relief, dose after dose. The relief you'll feel from one treatment of BOTOX® will normally last for about 3 months. Treatments can be continued as long as your condition responds to BOTOX® and you do not have any serious allergic reactions or other significant side effects. When the relief begins to fade, you'll return to your doctor for your next treatment.

Usually, BOTOX® treatment is required approximately four times per year. Because symptoms can change over time, the amount and duration of relief you'll experience can vary. Consult your doctor, who can determine how to achieve the best possible results with BOTOX®

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