Botox

What is BOTOX®?

You may have heard of BOTOX® Cosmetic. But as you will learn in this brochure, the BOTOX® story is more than skin deep.

BOTOX (Botulinum Toxin Type A) is an effective therapy that has been used to treat patients for a variety of conditions for more than 18.years. It is one of the most researched medicines in the world. First identified in the 1890s, BOTOX® is a purified protein that comes from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. In
slightly more than 100 years, our knowledge of botulinum toxin type A has expanded from the identification of the bacterium C. botulinum if the commercialization of botulinum toxin type A, as BOTOX® therapy.

In 1989, BOTOX® neurotoxin was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of blepharospasm (eyelid spasms) and strabismus (crossed or misaligned eyes). In 2000, the FDA approved BOTOX® for the treatment of uncontrollable muscle tightening or turning in the neck, known as cervical dystonia.

Another milestone in the history of BOTOX® was its approval in 2004 to treat severe underarm sweating that is not adequately managed with topical agents. The same formulation used to treat frown lines between the brows for people ages 18 to 65 was approved in 2002 as BOTOX® Cosmetic. 

BOTOX is approved for the treatment of cervical dystonia in adults to decrease the severity of abnormal head position and neck pain associated with cervical dystonia.

BOTOX® is indicated for the treatment of severe primary axillary hyperhidrosis that is inadequately managed with topical agents.

BOTOX® Cosmetic is approved for the temporary treatment of moderate to severe frown lines between the brows in people ages 18 to 65.

How BOTOX® neurotoxin treatment works

When you experience the muscle spasms associated with blepharospasm. it is because your nerve cells are sending signals directly to your muscles. BOTOX® (Botulinum Toxin Type A) treatment works by blocking these signals. which prevents the release of a substance known as acetyl/choline. Too much acetylcholine causes your muscles to become overactive and tense up. With BOTOX muscle spasms may stop or become greatly reduced, resulting in relief. Please discuss with your doctor any questions you may have about your treatment.

BOTOX® is approved for the treatment of strabismus (crossed eyes) and blepharospasm (eyelid spasms) associated with dystonia (muscle tightening). including benign essential bepharospasm or VU nerve disorders in patients 12 years of age and above. The efficacy of BOTOX® treatment in deviations over
50 prism diopters, in restrictive strabismus, in Duane’s syndrome with lateral rectus weakness, and in secondary strabismus caused by prior surgical over-recession of the antagonist has not been established. BOIDX® is ineffective in chronic paralytic strabismus except when used in conjunction with surgical repair to reduce antagonist contracture.

What to expect from your BOTOX® treatment

Once you and your doctor have determined that BOTOX® (Botulilium Toxin Type A) is right for you, your treatment will consist of a number of injections into the muscles selected by your doctor. BOTOX® injections will be given right in your doctor’s office. The amount of BOTOX® and the locations of the injections will depend on your individual needs. You may have mild and temporary pain, tenderness, and/or bruising at the injection sites. Because BOTOX® neurotoxin is injected directly into your affected muscles, it is not expected to be present in your bloodstream after injection at the recommended dosage. You should be able to leave your doctor’s office after a brief recovery period.

How long does it take to see results? Not long at all. You may begin seeing an improvement in your symptoms within a few days of BOTOX® treatment, and you may not have to visit your doctor for another injection for up to 3 months.

Important Safety Information Warnings: Serious heart problems and serious allergic reactions have been reported rarely. If you think you’re having an
allergic reaction or other unusual symptoms, such as difficulty swallowing, speaking, or breathing, call your doctor immediately. Patients with certain neuromuscular disorders such as ALS, myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome may be at increased risk of serious side effects. Patients with neuromuscular disorders may be at increased risk of clinically significant systemic effects, including severe dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and respiratory compromise from typical doses of BOTOX® and BOTOX- Cosmetic. Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) is a commonly reported adverse event fortowing treatment of cervical dystonia patients with au botuUnum toxins. In these patients, there are reports of rare cases of dysphagia sever enough to warrant the insertion of a gastric feeding tube. Patients or caregivers should be advised to seek immediate medical attention if swallowing, speech or respiratory disorders arise.