BOTOX

It is perhaps a little known fact that the word Botox is a brand name and is the shortened expression deriving from the full scientific term, Botulinum Toxin. Botox is a neurotoxin protein that is derived from the bacterium known as Clostridium Botulinum.

For those people who are thinking about a course of Botox in their face to remove wrinkles and lines, they might find it incredible to learn that it is actually one of the most poisonous substances that occur naturally in the world. Whilst it is highly toxic, it can be utilised in tiny doses to treat both painful muscle disorders and as a cosmetic treatment. In the medical world, it is marketed under the names Botox and Dysport.

Origins of Botox

The German doctor Justinus Kerner referred to botulinum toxin as "sausage poison" because the bacterium can often cause poisoning when it spawns itself in meat products that have not been looked after. Kerner originally thought of a possible therapeutic use for the botulinum toxin and in 1870 another German doctor called Muller came up with the name "botulism" which originates from the Latin word botulus or sausage.

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It was not until 2002 that the American FDA approved the use of botulinum toxin type A to be used in the temporary of facial lines between the eyebrows. Botox is produced by the company Allergan Inc (U.S) for both cosmetic and therapeutic use. Whereas, Dysport is formulation developed in the UK for therapeutic use.

Use of Botox

In the 1950's researchers discovered that by injecting overactive muscles with tiny quantities of botulinum toxin type A it lessened muscular activity by stopping the release of acetylcholine, leaving the muscle unable to contract for a periods of between four to six months.

A San Francisco ophthalmologist, lan Scott, originally administered small doses of the botox toxin to treat crossed eyes and conditions of uncontrollable blinking. Allergan, Inc., then purchased the rights to the drug in the late 1980's and later received FDA approval in 1989.

Allergan then went onb to rename the drug as Botox. Soon afterwards the cosmetic effects of Botox were identified when it was seen that the frown lines between the eyebrows were softened after treatment for eye muscle disorders.

In April 2002, after clinical trials, the FDA approved the use of Botox for cosmetic purposes. By 2006 Botox injections had become the most common cosmetic procedure in America.

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