Botulinum Toxin Type A

Botulinum toxin type A is an injectable medicine used to treat a variety of conditions, from wrinkles and frown lines to severe underarm sweating to crossed eyes. The drug is actually a toxin produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacteria, and it works by decreasing the nerve signals that are sent to muscles. Side effects include droopy eyelids, difficulty swallowing, and neck pain.

What Is Botulinum Toxin Type A?

In 2009, the generic name for Botox was changed from "botulinum toxin type A" to "onabotulinumtoxinA." This was done to prevent confusion between Botox® and Dysport® (abobotulinumtoxinA), a new botulinum toxin type A product.
 
We are no longer updating the information on botulinum toxin type A found in this article. Instead, you can click OnabotulinumtoxinA or AbobotulinumtoxinA to read up-to-date information on these medicines.

 

Botulinum toxin type A (Botox®) is a prescription injection that is approved to:
 
  • Temporarily improve the appearance of wrinkles between the eyebrows (frown lines)
  • Relieve neck pain and abnormal head position associated with cervical dystonia (a certain kind of muscle spasm of the head and neck)
  • Treat severe underarm sweating that has not responded to other treatments
  • Treat eyelid twitching or spasms (known medically as blepharospasm)
  • Treat misaligned eyes, such as crossed eyes (known medically as strabismus).
     
(Click What Is Botulinum Toxin Type A Used For? for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
 
Botulinum Toxin Type A Article Continues on Next Page >
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
 
Other Articles in This eMedTV Presentation
Referring Pages Articles Health Topics Drugs & Supplements