As far as I can figure out Botox is approved for four non-cosmetic uses:

  • Strabismus or misaligned eyes
  • Blepharospasm or eyelid twitching
  • Cervical dystonia or neck spasm and pain
  • Hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating

One approved areas in which Botox has achieved success is for dystonia, a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions which result in uncontrollable movements. The toxin injections show beneficial effects on specific groups of muscles that don’t respond well to physical therapy, medications and surgery.

One of the unapproved treatments for Botox is using it for migraine headaches. Scientists speculated that for cosmetic surgery, not only does the toxin suppress muscle contractions but it also suppresses pain signals. Now the data shows that the toxin isn’t much better than a placebo for most headaches. That’s not to say it may work for some individuals or larger doses work better than the ones used for the clinical trial. However, because there isn’t absolute proof and the side effects could be a drooping eyelid and temporary weakness of the neck muscles, it doesn’t make sense to spend from $250 to $1,000 per treatment.

On the other hand there is good evidence that says Botox is effective for chronic facial muscle contractions, excessive sweating, and hand tremors.

Some of the unapproved, off-label uses of Botox include treatments for cerebral palsy, drooling, tension headache, ringing in the ear, constipation, incontinence, hair loss, tennis elbow and a dozen or so more conditions.

Following the reporting of some serious health problems and a number of deaths from the unapproved use of Botox, the FDA now has a black box label for all Botox and similar products, which is the highest packaging warning the agency requires. The label states that the toxin can spread beyond its injection site to other parts of the body and cause symptoms of botulism, including muscle weakness and trouble breathing and swallowing.  The FDA also warns that the potency level may vary from product to product.
Good enough warning for me to think twice before having a Botox treatment, especially if not approved.

What about you? Would you use Botox? Under what circumstance?

To your healthy aging.

Ruthan Brodsky

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Filed under: Conditions and Diseases • Treatment

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