The different Botox injection applications

The different Botox injection applications

Did you know that “tox” in Botox is derived from toxin? And not just a regular toxin, Botulinum Toxin is one of the deadliest toxins that has been known to the medical community. It is only ironical that the Botox injection, a derivative of this fatal toxin, has helped humanity win over symptoms of ageing and conquer beauty over the past 30 years. If you think however, that it is only enhancing your beauty that Botox finds its applications in then you must think again because there are several other medical and cosmetic applications to this miracle product.

The company Allergan which owns Botox product has over 800 patents for its application! However, till now it has got approval for only nine medical applications. Botox injectionis a staple in any cosmetic clinic across the globe but, it is just half of the revenue that Allergan enjoys from beauty applications. This product has the other half of the revenue flowing through because of its therapeutic uses for various conditions that humans experience from migraines to sweating!

What are some FDA approved applications of Botox injection?

Once Botox as a drug was approved to be used for one medical condition, doctors were legally allowed to use it for any use that they deemed it. This gave rise to a number of applications which are as follows:

  • Chronic migraines in adults – In 2010, Allergan received the nod to use Botox as a drug to treat people with migraines. Some doctors do question the efficacy of using Botox calling it just a placebo effect however, Columbia University Medical Centre takes the view that it does reduce the number of migraines patients have after administering the drug.
  • Axillary hyperhidrosis – In 2004, scientists at Allergan were successful in getting approval from FDA to treat excessive underarm sweating which is a disorder in some folks. It has been found to be effective to treat patients who sweat in excess and help them live with such a disorder with ease.
  • Overactive Bladder – The Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine’s dean has observed in her 30 years of career that a Botox injection has been the most significant in helping patients with this condition. Nearly 70% of the women who were treated with Botox reported 40% reduction in leaks per day, which can be a blessing for people with and overactive bladder
  • Cross Eyes – For people suffering from Strabismus or being cross eyed, Botox has proven to be helpful. For such people, their eyes seldom line up in the same direction which can not only be embarrassing but also impair the vision. One of the first approvals for Botox was to treat exactly this condition.

What are some applications for an off-label Botox injection?

Botox injection continues to find its applications in many other medical conditions and disorders and doctors continue to use it to treat many ailments. A few such examples are:

  • Severe Cold hands
  • Abnormal Heartbeat
  • Depression
  • Premature Ejaculation
  • Scars due to cleft lips
  • Facial tics
  • Eye twitches
  • Teeth grinding, etc.

Botox injection has proven to be very versatile and useful for humans in its short run as a drug in just three decades. If you do find yourself in front of a doctor who wishes to make an off-label use on you or your family, it is prudent to ask for the research available about the efficacy and more importantly the safety of using Botox as a treatment for the ailment. Treatments that are FDA approved should not be a problem at all however, you should go for the off-label applications only if you are comfortable and trust the expertise of the doctor.

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