Synonyms in a broader sense
Botulinum toxin, botulism toxin, botulin, botulinus toxin, BTX English: botulin toxin, botoxIn general, Botox® may only be used in all areas after a thorough risk-benefit analysis by the doctor. Botox® must not be used if there is an infection at the planned injection site or if there is a known hypersensitivity (allergy) to the active substance. Not much is yet known about the effects in pregnant women, but in animals the use of botulinum toxin has led to damage to the unborn child, which is why, unless unavoidable, treatment should not be given to pregnant women or nursing mothers.
In children under 12 years of age, the scope of application is limited to spastic paralysis. As with almost all drugs, it is also true with Botox® that different people show very different reactions to a treatment, which are difficult to predict. In addition, the side effects also vary depending on the way the drug is administered (for example, whether it enters the body in the form of tablets or an injection).
Very common side effects in the treatment of eyelid cramps, hemiplegic facial cramps, but also wrinkle smoothing around the eyes is paralysis of the upper eyelid, which consequently hangs down deeper over the eye. In the treatment of wryneck, swallowing problems and dry mouth are very common. Side effects independent of the injection site are redness and pain at the injection site, temporary muscle weakness, fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, sweating, itching and very rarely serious complications such as cardiac arrhythmia or hypersensitivity reactions. In case of an overdose or if the poison gets into the bloodstream, there is an antidote (antitoxin) available in hospitals.
Drugs
There are various drugs that contain the active ingredient botulinum toxin A (Botox®). The best known and most frequently used is Botox® from the pharmaceutical company Allergan, which is used in both medicine and cosmetics. There is also the Azzalure from the manufacturer Galderma, Vistabel, also from Allergan, and Bocouture from the manufacturer Merz, all three of which are only used in cosmetics.
They also contain human albumin, which is the most frequently occurring protein in our body. All these drugs are available only on prescription and their dosage must be carefully adapted to the individual patient and the type of treatment.
