| REVIEW ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2003 | Volume
: 51
| Issue : 4 | Page : 455--460 |
Botulinum toxins: Pharmacology and its current therapeutic evidence for use
UB Muthane, JN Panikar
Department of Neurology NIMHANS Hosur Road, Bangalore - 560029, India
Correspondence Address:
U B Muthane
Department of Neurology NIMHANS Hosur Road, Bangalore - 560029
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
PMID: 14742921 
Botulinum toxins are, as a group, among the most potent neuromuscular toxins known, yet they are clinically useful in the management of conditions associated with muscular and glandular over-activity. Botulinum toxins act by preventing release of acetylcholine into the neuromuscular junction. While botulinum toxin type A is commonly available, different manufacturers produce specific products, which are not directly interchangeable and should not be considered as generically equivalent formulations. Type B is also available in the market. Each formulation of botulinum toxin is unique with distinct dosing, efficacy and safety profiles for each use to which it is applied. Botulinum toxin type A is the treatment of choice based on its depth of evidence in dystonias and most other conditions. Botulinum toxin type A is established as useful in the management of spasticity, tremors, headache prophylaxis and several other neurological conditions. Active research is underway to determine the parameters for which the type B toxin can be used in these conditions, as covered in this review. Botulinum toxin use has spread to several fields of medicine.
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