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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff
Botox injections are the best known of a group of medications that use various forms of botulinum toxin to temporarily paralyze muscle activity. This toxin is produced by the microbe that causes botulism, a type of food poisoning.
Noted primarily for the ability to reduce the appearance of some facial wrinkles, Botox injections are also used to treat such problems as repetitive neck spasms (cervical dystonia), excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), overactive bladder and some causes of crossed eyes. Botox injections may also help prevent chronic migraines in some people.
While Botox was the first drug to utilize botulinum toxin, newer products include Dysport, Myobloc and Xeomin. Each product is a little different, particularly when it comes to dosage units, so they aren't interchangeable.
- Carruthers J, et al. Overview of botulinum toxin for cosmetic injections. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Dec. 14, 2012.
- Botox medication guide. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/DrugSafety/UCM176360.pdf. Accessed Dec. 14, 2012.
- AskMayoExpert. Botulinum toxin. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2012.
- OnabotulinumtoxinA (botulinum toxin type A, Botox): Drug information. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Dec. 14, 2012.
- FDA approves Botox to treat overactive bladder. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm336101.htm. Jan. 18, 2013.
- OnabotulinumtoxinA (marketed as Botox/Botox Cosmetic), AbobotulinumtoxinA (marketed as Dysport) and RimabotulinumtoxinB (marketed as Myobloc) information. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA boxed warning alert: August 2009. http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/DrugSafetyInformationforHeathcareProfessionals/ucm174949.htm. Accessed Dec. 17, 2012.
- Barbara Woodward Lips Patient Education Center. Botulinum toxin treatment. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2012.
- Barbara Woodward Lips Patient Education Center. Managing pain for your child's Botox injection. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2012.
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