title: Pharmacotherapy with botulinum toxin: harnessing nature's most potent neurotoxin.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Valley Children's Hospital, Madera, California, USA.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Vermeulen
authors.forename: K B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Sperling
mesh_terms: D018726:Anti-Dyskinesia Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001905:Botulinum Toxins / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004421:Dystonia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D018726:Anti-Dyskinesia Agents; D001905:Botulinum Toxins