Botulin toxin is a neurotoxic protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It is the most poisonous naturally occurring substance in the world. A single drop is capable of killing 50,000 people. Though it is highly toxic, it is used in minute doses both to treat painful muscle spasms, and as a cosmetic treatment in some parts of the world. It is sold commercially under the brand names Botox and Dysport for this purpose. The terms Botox and Dysport are trade names and are not used generically to describe the neurotoxins produced by Clostridia species.

History

---

The German physician and singer Justinus Kerner called botulinum toxin "sausage poison", as this bacterium often causes poisoning by growing in badly handled prepared meat products. He first conceived a possible therapeutic use of botulinum toxin. In 1870, Muller (another German physician) coined the name botulism, from Latin botulus = "sausage". In 1895, Emile Van Ermengem first isolated the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. In 1944, Edward Schantz cultured Clostridium botulinum and isolated the toxin, and, in 1949, Burgen's group discovered that botulinum toxin blocks neuromuscular transmission. Throughout the 1950s, the toxin was used experimentally in the medical cosmetic treatment of politicians. Then actor-turned-politician Ronald Reagan is rumoured to be one of the earliest patients of this microexpression-concealing procedure.

By 1973, Alan B Scott, MD, of Smith-Kettlewell Institute used botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) in monkey experiments, and, in 1980, he officially used BTX-A for the first time in humans to treat strabismus. In December 1989, BTX-A (BOTOX) was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of strabismus, blepharospasm, and hemifacial spasm in patients over 12 years old. The cosmetic effect of BTX-A was initially described by the Carruthers, a dermatologist/ophthalmologist husband and wife team although the effect had been observed by a number of independent groups. On April 15, 2002, the FDA announced the approval of botulinum toxin type A (BOTOX Cosmetic) to temporarily improve the appearance of moderate-to-severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines). BTX-A has also been approved for the treatment of excessive underarm sweating. The acceptance of BTX-A use for the treatment of spasticity and muscle pain disorders is growing, with approvals pending in many European countries and studies on headaches (including migraine), prostatic symptoms, asthma, obesity and many other possible indications are ongoing.

More on [ Botulin toxin ]

CFDA: FDA Latest Computer Systems Warning Letters

WL Issued to Amrex Zetron Inc
FDA Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400
FDA Warning Letter Issued to Amrex Zetron Inc on 14 Apr 2009 by Los Angeles District Office
WL Issued to Coast Institutional Review Board
FDA Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400
FDA Warning Letter Issued to Coast Institutional Review Board on 14 Apr 2009 by Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
WL Issued to Branitz, Bruce, MD
FDA Thu, 09 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400
FDA Warning Letter Issued to Branitz, Bruce, MD on 09 Apr 2009 by Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
WL Issued to Cote, Charles J., MD
FDA Mon, 02 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400
FDA Warning Letter Issued to Cote, Charles J., MD on 02 Mar 2009 by Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
WL Issued to Genzyme Corporation
FDA Fri, 27 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0400
FDA Warning Letter Issued to Genzyme Corporation on 27 Feb 2009 by New England District Office
WL Issued to Hammill Manufacturing Company
FDA Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0400
FDA Warning Letter Issued to Hammill Manufacturing Company on 06 Jan 2009 by Cincinnati District Office

CFDA: FDA Latest Drug GCP Warning Letters

WL Issued to Coast Institutional Review Board
FDA Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400
FDA Warning Letter Issued to Coast Institutional Review Board on 14 Apr 2009 by Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
WL Issued to Branitz, Bruce, MD
FDA Thu, 09 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400
FDA Warning Letter Issued to Branitz, Bruce, MD on 09 Apr 2009 by Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
WL Issued to Bukowski, Ronald M, MD
FDA Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400
FDA Warning Letter Issued to Bukowski, Ronald M, MD on 30 Mar 2009 by Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
WL Issued to Youabian, Inc
FDA Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400
FDA Warning Letter Issued to Youabian, Inc on 17 Mar 2009 by Los Angeles District Office
WL Issued to Provena St. Joseph's Medical Center IRB
FDA Thu, 12 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400
FDA Warning Letter Issued to Provena St. Joseph's Medical Center IRB on 12 Mar 2009 by Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research
WL Issued to Paulson, Daniel M., MD
FDA Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400
FDA Warning Letter Issued to Paulson, Daniel M., MD on 11 Mar 2009 by Center for Drug Evaluation and Research

Subscribe to Drugs_and_Medications RSS feed