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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff
Botox is a well-known brand name for a medicinal form of botulinum toxin type A, also known as onabotulinumtoxinA. The toxin is produced by a specific bacterium that causes the food poisoning botulism. When injected in small doses into specific muscles, Botox doesn't poison you but acts as a muscle relaxant with effects that can last for several months.
There are two forms of the botulinum toxin medicine, Botox and Botox Cosmetic. Botox is used to treat certain medical problems. Botox Cosmetic is used to improve facial wrinkles. But you may hear both referred to as simply Botox.
- Botox medication guide. Food and Drug Administration. www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/DrugSafety/UCM176360.pdf. Accessed May 3, 2010.
- OnabotulinumtoxinA: Drugdex evaluations. Micromedex Healthcare Series 2.0. http://www.micromedex.com. Accessed May 3, 2010.
- Botox (medical). The Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. http://www.eyecareamerica.org/eyecare/treatment/botox/. Accessed May 2, 2010.
- Carruthers J, et al. Consensus recommendations on the use of botulinum toxin type A in facial aesthetics. Plastic Reconstructive Surgery. 2004;114(suppl.):1S.
- Flynn TC. Update on botulinum toxin. Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery. 2006;25:115.
- Botulinum toxin. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/public/publications/pamphlets/cosmetic_botulinum.html. Accessed May 2, 2010.
- FDA approves Botox to treat chronic migraine. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm229782.htm. Accessed Oct. 23, 2010.
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