What is Botulinum Toxin Type A?

 It is derived from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. This bacterium produces a protein that blocks the release of acetylcholine and relaxes muscles.

 In the 1960s, the muscle-relaxing properties of botulinum toxin type A were tapped for investigational use in realigning crossed eyes. These early studies paved the way for treating other conditions caused by overactive muscles with botulinum toxin type A.

 Today, Botox® is produced in controlled laboratory conditions and given in extremely small therapeutic doses. It has helped over 1 million patients worldwide with conditions caused by overactive muscles.

How Does it Work?

 Normally, your brain sends electrochemical messages to your muscles to make them contract and move. These messages are transmitted from a nerve to the muscle by a substance called acetylcholine. When too much acetylcholine is released, muscles become overly active and spasm or tense up.

 Botulinum toxin type A blocks the nerve from releasing acetylcholine. As a result, the muscle spasms stop or are greatly reduced, providing relief from symptoms.

 Besides muscle spasms and spasticity, botulinum toxin type A can help treat myofascial pain, headaches, and excessive sweating.

 Botox injections contain Botulinum Toxin Type A, a therapeutic muscle-relaxing agent that blocks neuromuscular transmission. As a result of this blocking, muscle spasms are reduced. Besides muscle spasms and spasticity, Botox can help treat myofascial pain, headaches, and excessive sweating. It can also be used cosmetically. Multiple doses may be needed to produce the desired effect.

Adapted from http://www.botox.com