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A to Z of MS Botulinum toxin

Product names

Botox, Dysport, Xeomin

Botulinum toxin is a drug that is used to treat spasticity and spasms in MS. Researchers are also looking into the drug as a treatment for bladder problems. Botulinum toxin is an extremely potent poison, which was originally developed as a nerve gas before the Second World War. Its therapeutic use is now recognised in a range of symptoms, and it was first used to treat spasticity in MS in 1990. There are several different types of the toxin, with botulinum toxin A the one most frequently used in MS.

How botulinum toxin works

Botulinum toxin works by preventing nerve messages being transmitted to muscles, thus causing paralysis. In small, therapeutic doses, botulinum toxin is injected into individual muscles to prevent the nerve messages that cause spasticity and spasm. The effects of an injection with botulinum toxin can last from six to ten months.

How is botulinum toxin given?

Botulinum toxin is injected. As the drug is so potent and misplaced application could lead to the loss of function, injections have to be delivered by a professional trained in the technique.

For MS, botulinum toxin is only available at a very few specialist centres in the UK and access can be difficult.

Side effects and contraindications

The medicinal use of botulinum toxin is generally well tolerated and causes few side effects.

Reference

Snow BJ, et al.
Treatment of spasticity with botulinum toxin: a double-blind study.
Annals of Neurology 1990;28(4):512-515.

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