What Is Botulinum Toxin?
![Botulinum toxin, sold as a drug under the name](https://images.emedicinehealth.com/images/article/main_image/botulinum-toxin.jpg?output-quality=75)
Botulinum toxin is a drug produced by Clostridium botulinum, a gram-positive anaerobic bacterium. This same toxin can also cause botulism in the digestive tract from ingestion of contaminated food or an infected wound.
Botox, the name for the drug made from botulinum toxin, weakens or paralyzes certain muscles or blocks certain nerves. Depending on its use and the condition being treated, the effects can last for up to a year.
What Is Botulinum Toxin in Pain Management?
In small doses, botulinum toxin is used for a variety of medical conditions, including pain management.
The pain relief achieved with use of botulinum toxin is believed to result from the secondary effects of muscle paralysis, improved blood flow, the release of nerve fibers under compression by abnormally contracting muscle, and the effects of the toxin on nociceptive neurons (pain receptors).
Botulinum toxin is used to treat painful conditions such as:
- Neuromuscular disorders
- Tennis elbow
- Chronic anal fissure
- Pain attributed to mastectomy and hemorrhoidectomy
- Headaches (including migraine, tension, and cervicogenic)
- Piriformis syndrome
- Facial pain
- Myofascial pain
- Temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ)
- Low back pain
- Chronic prostatic pain
- Whiplash
- Myofascial pain syndrome
- Painful muscle areas
When Is Botulinum Toxin Used for Pain Management?
When patients do not respond to traditional pain management such as pain relievers (analgesics), physical therapy or exercise, and rest, botulinum toxin may be considered.
What Are Some Examples of Botulinum Toxin Products and Their Uses for Pain Management?
The following are examples of botulinum toxin products along with their approved medical uses:
- OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox, Botox Cosmetic)
- Botox is used to treat
- Cervical dystonia
- Severe primary axillary hyperhidrosis
- Crossed eyes (strabismus)
- Eyelid twitching (blepharospasm)
- Botox Cosmetic is used to treat
- Moderate to severe glabellar lines (forehead furrows)
- Botox is used to treat
- AbobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport) is used to treat
- Cervical dystonia
- Moderate-to-severe glabellar lines in adults
- IncobotulinumtoxinA (Xeomin) is used to treat
- Cervical dystonia
- Blepharospasm
- RimabotulinumtoxinB (Myobloc) is used to treat
- Cervical dystonia
What Are Side Effects of Botulinum Toxin?
The most common side effects of botulinum toxin include:
- Injection site reactions (such as pain, swelling, or bruising)
- Facial and other muscle weakness
- Flu-like symptoms
- Headache
- Upset stomach
- Temporary drooping eyelids (when injected into the face)
- Respiratory problems
- Problems swallowing
- Seizures
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