Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Pharmacotherapy with Botulinum Toxin: Harnessing Nature's Most Potent Neurotoxin

2000; Wiley; Volume: 20; Issue: 9 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1592/phco.20.13.1079.35040

1875-9114

Mark S. Bell, Lee C. Vermeulen, Keith B. Sperling,

Neurological disorders and treatments

Botulinum toxin (BTX), a potent biologic neurotoxin, commonly is associated with lethal outbreaks of food poisoning; however, it also plays a role as a therapeutic agent. Since the 1970s physicians have investigated BTX therapy in patients with neurologic disorders. The number of applications greatly expanded over the years to include certain focal dystonias (blepharospasm, torticollis, laryngeal dystonias, writer's cramp), strabismus, and a wide variety of other indications (gastrointestinal disorders, cosmetic wrinkle correction, spasticity, hyperhidrosis). BTX's safety and efficacy are reviewed.