The muscle-relaxing properties of BOTOX^®

BOTOX^® 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, C1, D, E, F, and G), and each has different properties and actions. No two of these botulinum toxins are alike.

More than 100 years of research have expanded 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 1960s, the muscle-relaxing properties of botulinum toxin 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 botulinum toxin type A.

Today, BOTOX^® is produced in controlled laboratory conditions and given in extremely small therapeutic doses. It has helped over 1 million patients worldwide with conditions caused by overactive muscles.

BOTOX^® blocks the nerve from releasing acetylcholine. As a result, the muscle spasms stop or are greatly reduced, providing relief from symptoms.

It's 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.

The most frequently reported adverse reactions in patients with cervical dystonia are dysphagia (19%), upper respiratory infection (12%), neck pain (11%), and headache (11%). The most frequently reported adverse reactions in patients with blepharospasm are drooping of the eyelid (21%), superficial punctate keratitis (6%), and eye dryness (6%). Patients with neuromuscular disorders may be at increased risk of clinically significant systemic effects including severe dysphagia and respiratory compromise from typical doses of BOTOX^®. BOTOX^® is contraindicated in the presence of infection at the proposed injection site(s). The effects of BOTOX^® therapy may be increased with the use of aminoglycoside antibiotics or with other drugs that interfere with neuromuscular transmission.

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