Therapeutic uses of botulinum toxin: from facial palsy to autonomic disorders.
BACKGROUND
The therapeutic uses of botulinum toxin have been expanding due to deeper knowledge of its molecular behaviour and different mechanisms of action.


OBJECTIVE
To present suggested doses of Botox and Dysport for controlling the muscle hyperkinetic activity in facial palsy in the perioral area and to review other uses.


METHODS
An extensive updated literature review on the success and limits of the botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) therapeutic treatments.


CONCLUSIONS
BoNT can be considered to be the preferred single method for many disorders; it has substituted for some conventional surgical methods and it can be associated with other therapies to increase overall treatment performance. Depending on the disorder, the lack of permanent effect causes no major inconvenience.
de Maio
Maurício
M
Avenida Ibirapuera, 2907 cj 1202 CEP: 04029-200, Moema, São Paulo, Brazil. mauriciodemaio@uol.com.br
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D020821:Dystonic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D005146:Facial Asymmetry / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009133:Muscular Atrophy / Q000139:chemically induced; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000187:drug effects; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D017729:Presynaptic Terminals / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A