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What is botulinum toxin used to treat?

Medically reviewed by Judith Stewart, BPharm. Last updated on Oct 30, 2024.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

What is botulinum toxin? What are the uses of the FDA approved botulinum toxin products?

Botulinum toxin is used in the treatment of overactive bladder, urinary incontinence, chronic migraines, spasticity (contractions causing muscle stiffness), cervical dystonia (neck muscles contracting involuntarily), severe underarm sweating, eyelid spasms, crossed eyes, and drooling. It is also used for the treatment of facial lines and wrinkles.

What is botulinum toxin?
Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin produced by Clostridium botulinum, the bacteria that causes botulism. The botulinum toxin was found to cause muscle paralysis in the body, and over time this led to the discovery and development of the pharmaceutical products we have available today.

What are the uses of the FDA approved botulinum toxin products?

Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) for injection

Botox Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA) for injection

Myobloc (rimabotulinumtoxinB) Injection

Dysport (abobotulinumtoxinA) for Injection

Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA) for Injection

Jeuveau (prabotulinumtoxinA-xvfs) for Injection

Daxxify (daxibotulinumtoxinA-lanm) for Injection

Letybo (letibotulinumtoxinA-wlbg) for Injection

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Xeomin and Botox both contain botulinum toxin type A, but each has distinctive characteristics that may benefit different patient populations. Xeomin's pure formulation without complexing proteins potentially offers advantages for long-term treatment and for patients concerned about developing resistance. Its generally lower cost also provides a more accessible option for many patients seeking neurotoxin treatments.

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Dysport vs Botox: Key Differences and Effectiveness

Dysport and Botox Cosmetic are both used as cosmetic anti-aging treatments. Botox Cosmetic contains onabotulinumtoxinA (ONA), while Dysport contains abobotulinumtoxinA (ABO) - both are botulinum toxin type A formulations. Botox received FDA approval back in 1991, with Dysport following in 2009. The manufacturing differences between these botulinum toxins create distinct nontoxic protein profiles, resulting in similarities alongside notable differences.

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Does Botox for migraines also help with wrinkles?

Botox Cosmetic is used for aesthetic purposes for wrinkles and Botox is used as a therapeutic treatment for different medical conditions, including migraine headache prevention. Botox Cosmetic and Botox come as separate products but are both prescription medicines that contain the active ingredient onabotulinumtoxinA. Continue reading

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