What is botulinum toxin?
Author: SCIRE Community Team | Reviewer: Patricia Mills | Published: 10 November 2017 | Updated: ~
A structure of a botulinum toxin molecule.1
Botulinum toxin is a protein produced by bacteria. Although this protein can be toxic to humans, injections of very small amounts of certain strains of botulinum toxin are used in medicine. Botulinum toxin is well-known by the trade names Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin as a cosmetic procedure for reducing wrinkles. However, it is also used as a treatment for various other medical conditions.
Botulinum toxin injections may be used after SCI to treat:
- Problematic spasticity that is located in specific muscles (widespread spasticity is usually treated with an oral medication instead)
- Overactive (reflex) bladder problems after SCI
Botulinum toxin injections into the bladder may also help to prevent autonomic dysreflexia that is triggered by bladder problems after SCI.
