BOTOX® Therapeutic—BOTOX® History

Signs of Cervical Dystonia

Medical Uses of BOTOX^®

How BOTOX^® Works

BOTOX^® History

Important Safety Information

Can BOTOX^® Help You?

What to Expect and Safety

Helpful Resources

Range:
ZIP Code:
Advanced Search

BOTOX® History

Printer-friendly page

BOTOX^® neurotoxin is an effective treatment that has been studied for a long time. It has been used to treat patients for a variety of conditions for more than 15 years in 75 countries. The active ingredient in BOTOX^® has been studied for more than 100 years. Below are key milestones in the history of BOTOX^®.

1950s
Scientists discover that the active ingredient in BOTOX^® can relax overactive muscles.

1960s and 1970s
Studies explore botulinum toxin (later produced as BOTOX^®) for the treatment of strabismus (crossed eyes).

1988
Allergan begins research using botulinum toxin to treat other medical problems.

1989
The FDA approves botulinum toxin to treat blepharospasm (eyelid spasms) and strabismus (crossed eyes).

Allergan names the medicine BOTOX^®.

2000
The FDA approves BOTOX^® treatment for cervical dystonia (CD).

2002
The same formulation is also approved as BOTOX^® Cosmetic. For more information about BOTOX^® Cosmetic, visit www.BOTOXCosmetic.com.

2004
The FDA approves BOTOX^® to treat severe underarm sweating when anitperspirants don’t work. For more information, visit www.BOTOXSevereSweating.com.

Today
Other medical uses of BOTOX^® continue to be investigated worldwide.

Next: Important Safety Information

BOTOX^® is indicated for the treatment of cervical dystonia in adults to decrease the severity of abnormal head position and neck pain associated with cervical dystonia.

BOTOX^® is indicated for the treatment of strabismus (crossed eyes) and blepharospasm (eyelid spasms) associated with dystonia (muscle tightening), including benign essential blepharospasm of VII nerve disorders in patients 12 years of age and above.

The efficacy of BOTOX^® treatment in deviations over 50 prism diopters, in restrictive strabismus, in Duane's syndrome with lateral rectus weakness, and in secondary strabismus caused by prior surgical over-recession of the antagonist has not been established. BOTOX^® is ineffective in chronic paralytic strabismus except when used in conjunction with surgical repair to reduce antagonist contracture.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

BOTOX^® injections should not be given to people who have an infection where the physician proposes to inject. They should not be given to people who are known to be sensitive to any ingredient in BOTOX^® product.

Serious heart problems and serious allergic reactions have been reported rarely. If you think you’re having an allergic reaction or other unusual symptoms, such as difficulty swallowing, speaking or breathing, call your doctor immediately.

Patients with certain neuromuscular disorders such as ALS, myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome may be at increased risk of serious side effects.

In cervical dystonia, the most common side effects following injection include difficulty swallowing, upper respiratory infection, neck pain and headache.

In blepharospasm, the most common side effects following injection include ptosis, inflammation of the cornea and eye dryness.

In strabismus, the most common side effects following injection include ptosis and vertical deviation.

Please see full prescribing information for BOTOX^®.

© 2008 ALLERGAN|Terms of Use|Privacy|Contact Us

^® and ™ Marks owned by Allergan, Inc.

The information on this site is intended for US residents only.
No information in this site is provided with the intention to give medical advice or instructions on the accurate use of Allergan products. Allergan cannot answer unsolicited e-mails requesting personal medical advice; visitors should always consult a healthcare professional.