What Is BOTOX?

Clostridium Botulinum is a rod-shaped bacteria readily found in the soil. There are seven types of Clostridium Botulinum bacteria, differentiated by type-naming A through G. Clostridium Botulinum toxic types A,B,E, and F cause illness in human begins, although Allergan uses Type A to produce their Botox brand. Clostridium Botulinum types B and C cause illness in animals. Incidentally, Clostridium Botulinum Type B is used in the production of Myobloc, another product which has similar effects.

BOTOX is a therapeutic agent derived from the bacterium, Clostridium Botulinum; Also known as Botulinum Toxin Type A.  The brand, BOTOX, is produced in controlled laboratory conditions and given in extremely small therapeutic doses originally for the treatment of blepharospasm (eye spasm) and strabismus (misalignment of the eye). BOTOX Purified Neurotoxin Complex is a vacuum-dried form of purified botulinum toxin type A. and is being investigated for several conditions associated with overactive muscle activity.

BOTOX comes in a vial containing 100u (units) of freeze-dried product.  The vials are stored in the office at -5º F until the BOTOX is usually reconstituted with usually either 2 to 4cc of normal saline.  At 2cc reconstitution the dose is 50u per cc or 5u per 0.1cc.  At 4cc the dose is 25u per cc or 2.5u per 0.1cc.  The results are reportedly best if used within 4 hours of reconstitution.  Most patients usually get about 25u in glabellar area (in between my eyebrow).

Other than for its original intended purpose, treatment of blepharospasm (eye spasm) and strabismus (misalignment of the eye) this product has cosmetic applications as well.  It was recently FDA approved for cosmetic use to improve the look of fine lines and superficial wrinkles between the brows caused from every day brow furrowing.  However, facial expressions like smiling, frowning or squinting can also cause wrinkles and BOTOX is equally effective in these areas.  If you find that the early signs of aging are becoming apparent or if your facial expressions are causing premature wrinkles to appear, then BOTOX may be for you.  BOTOX is also used in the prevention of wrinkles as well, by prohibiting you from making the facial gestures that cause wrinkles.

Normally, your brain sends electrical messages to your muscles so that they can contract and move.  The electrical message is transmitted to the muscle by a substance called acetylcholine.  BOTOX works to block the release of acetylcholine and, as a result, the muscle does not receive the message to contract.  This means that the muscle spasms or movements that cause wrinkling, stop or are greatly reduced after using BOTOX.

Well, BOTOX is presently only approved for the glabellar area (between the brows for frown lines) and of course for its non-cosmetic uses.  But it IS commonly used in other areas as well.

The effects last approximately three months thereafter from a single treatment of BOTOX, resulting in the smoothing of your skin and the improvement of fine lines and superficial wrinkles in the area of your treatment.  When the effects start wearing off, you will notice a very gradual fading of its effects.  At this point you will return for your next treatment.  BOTOX has proven itself again and again in eliminating superficial lines and wrinkles. Patients report that during a course of treatment their lines seem to disappear and the skin regains its former smoothness.  I tend to agree -- I had horizontal forehead wrinkles and a vertical frown line forming but it's gone now.  WOO HOO!

Risks, Complications & Contraindications

Given its unique mechanism of action, BOTOX offers sustained relief, dose after dose.  As far as long term effects are concerned, treatment with BOTOX can typically be repeated indefinitely.  However, if you are pregnant or taking certain medications, you are not eligible to receive BOTOX treatments.  Pregnant women should not get Botox.

The effects of BOTOX may be increased with the use of certain antibiotics (such as aminoglycoside antibiotics) or other drugs that interfere with neuromuscular transmission.  Be sure to disclose any and all pre-existing medical conditions and all medications you may be currently taking before undergoing any treatment.

Afraid of getting botulism?  They used to say not to worry, that you could inject that whole bottle and not get it. While this is true thus far with Allergan's Botox.  Serious cases of botulism have been connected to non-approved forms of the paralytic.  Please be sure you are receiving an FDA-regulated brand!