Botox is a drug made from a neurotoxin produced by the bacteriumClostridium botulinum called botulinum toxin. It is used medically to treat certain muscular conditions and cosmetically remove wrinkles by temporarily paralyzing muscles.

Botulinum toxin is sold commercially under the names:

  • Botox, Vistabel, Botox cosmetic (OnabotulinumtoxinA or botulinum toxin type A)
  • Dysport (AbobotulinumtoxinA or botulinum toxin type A)
  • Bocouture, Xeomin (IncobotulinumtoxinA or botulinum toxin type A)
  • Myobloc (RimabotulinumtoxinB or botulinum toxin type B).

Contents of this article:

  1. The origin of botox
  2. How does it work?
  3. Medical and cosmetic uses
  4. How is the procedure performed?
  5. Risks and side effects

The origin of botox

The inactive instance of botulinum toxin, Clostridium botulinum organism and its spores, are located in nature worldwide in both forest and cultivated soils, sediments of lakes, streams, coastal and untreated waters. The bacterium can also be found in the intestinal tracts of mammals and fish and in the gills and viscera of crabs and other shellfish. In nature these bacteria are relatively harmless. Issues occur when the spores transform into vegetive or actively growing cells. As the cells grow and overpopulate they begin to die, producing the deadly neurotoxin that causes botulism.

Neurotoxins are toxins that target the nervous system and disrupt the signaling that allows neurons to communicate effectively. The neurotoxin involved in producing Botox, botulinum toxin (abbreviated either as BTX or BoNT), is subdivided into eight types A, B, C [C1, C2], D, E, F, G 18 and H.19 A, B, E and rarely F cause human botulism and types C and D cause illness in other mammals, birds and fish.14 Although type G has been isolated from soil in Argentina, no outbreaks involving the toxin have been recognized.21 Type H has recently been discovered in the feces of a child suffering from botulism, the DNA sequence behind it has been withheld from public databases as an antidote has not yet been found.19

How does it work?

Botulinum toxin is one of the most poisonous substances known to man. Scientists have estimated that a single gram could kill as many as one million people and a couple of kilos could kill every human on earth.22 In high concentrations botulinum toxin can result in botulism, a severe, life-threatening illness. Botulism, left untreated, may result in respiratory failure and death.16 Yet despite being so toxic and so costly, it is in huge demand.

Botox injection
Botulinum toxin is injected to treat certain muscular conditions and cosmetically remove wrinkles by temporarily paralyzing muscles.


“Only the dose makes a remedy poisonous”20



Medical and cosmetic uses

Botulinum toxin’s main claim to fame is that it will appear to iron out wrinkles and lines in aging faces. More than just a vanity product, it can be useful for treating a variety of medical conditions ranging from eye squints to migraines, excess sweating to leaky bladders. There are currently over 20 different medical conditions that botulinum toxin is being used to treat with more being discovered regularly.

Approved therapeutic uses for botulinum toxin:

  • Blepharospasm (spasm of the eyelids)1
  • Idiopathic Rotational Cervical Dystonia (severe neck and shoulder muscle spasms) 1
  • Chronic Migraine3
  • Severe Primary Axillary Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)1
  • Strabismus (crossed eyes)1
  • Post-Stroke Upper Limb Spasticity4
  • Detrusor Overactivity Urinary Incontinence6
  • Overactive Bladder5
  • Hemifacial Spasm1
  • Glabellar Lines (frown lines between the eyebrows)2
  • Canthal Lines7
  • Crow’s Feet Lines.7

Off-label uses:

  • Achalasia8
  • Anal Fissure and Anismus8
  • Sialorrhea9
  • Allergic Rhinitis10
  • Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction11
  • Cerebral Palsy1
  • Oromandibular Dystonias12
  • Laryngeal Dystonia.13

How is the procedure performed?

Botox injection into apple
Botuilinum toxin takes up to 72 hours to take effect and make a noticeable difference.

The botulinum toxin is administered by diluting the powder in saline (sodium chloride) and injecting directly into neuromuscular tissue, The toxin requires 24-72 hours to take effect, reflecting the time necessary to disrupt the synaptosomal process. In very rare circumstances, some individuals may require as many as five days for the full effect to be observed.14


Risks and side effects

Injections with botulinum toxin are generally well tolerated and side effects are few. Uncommon responses to a drug because of a genetic predisposition are uncommon, generally mild, and transient.