Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2014 Feb;7(2):31-9.

Comparison and overview of currently available neurotoxins

Thomas J Walker  1 , Steven H Dayan  1
Affiliations
Review

Comparison and overview of currently available neurotoxins

Thomas J Walker et al. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2014 Feb.

Abstract

Background: Botulinum toxin has been in use since the 1970s. Over the last few years, the indications for botulinum toxin use have extended for cosmetic and noncosmetic applications. Three preparations of botulinum toxin type A and one preparation of botulinum toxin type B are commercially available and approved for use in the United States by the United States Food and Drug Administration.

Objective: To review the most recent literature on all commercially available botulinum toxins in the United States, their indications, Food and Drug Administration approvals, and handling (reconstitution, storage, and dilution).

Methods: A literature review (not Cochrane type analysis) using several databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, textbooks, Food and Drug Administration homepage, and manufacturer information) was performed.

Conclusion: Several different preparations of botulinum toxins exist worldwide, none of which are identical or interchangeable. Manufacturer recommendations on all available botulinum neurotoxins advise the use of unpreserved saline for reconstitution. Side effects are mostly mild and always self-limited. More serious complications are associated with higher doses, improper injection techniques, and occur in patients with underlying comorbidities.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Parsa AA, Lye KD, Parsa FD. Reconstituted botulinum type A neurotoxin: clinical efficacy after long-term freezing before use. Aesth Plast Surg. 2007;31:188–191. - PubMed
    1. Scott AB. Botulinum toxin injection into extraocular muscles as an alternative to strabismus surgery. Ophthalmology. 1980;87(10):1044–1049. - PubMed
    1. Carruthers J, Carruthers A. Botulinum toxin in facial rejuvenation: an update. Dermatol Clin. 2009;27(4):417–425. - PubMed
    1. Dayan SH, Maas CS. Botulinum toxins for facial wrinkles: beyond glabellar lines. Facial Plast Surg Clin North Am. 2007;15(1):31–39, vi. - PubMed
    1. Hatheway CL. Clostridium botulinum: ecology and control in foods Hauschild AHW, Dodds KL. Food Science and Technology, vol. 54 New York: Marcel Dekker; 1993. 3 20

LinkOut - more resources