Botulium toxin shots are commonly used in the dermatology department for cosmetic reasons. A new use of this injection has been found in controlling overactive blad  der. Read on to know more.

Team@CMHF

The FDA has approved botulinum toxin type A (Botox) for treating bladder overactivity resulting from spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis.
Sometimes called neurogenic bladder, the condition can be difficult to control successfully, the agency said.

The drug must be injected into the bladder using cystoscopy, which may require general anesthesia. It relaxes the bladder muscle, increasing its storage capacity and reducing incontinence.

According to the FDA, treatment benefits last about nine months.
The approval was based on two placebo-controlled clinical studies involving a total of 691 patients submitted by the drug’s manufacturer, Allergan.

“Both studies showed statistically significant decreases in the weekly frequency of incontinence episodes in the Botox group compared with placebo,” the FDA said.
Urinary tract infections and urinary retention were the most common adverse effects in this population. The latter condition may require self-catheterization to empty the bladder, according to the FDA.

Other approved indications for the drug include chronic migraine, severe underarm sweating, blepharospasm, strabismus, cervical dystonia, certain types of muscle stiffness, and reducing facial frown lines.

Ref: http://www.medpagetoday.com/Urology/UrinaryIncontinence/28183?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyHeadlines&utm_source=WC&userid=333280