BOTOX® is widely used as a cosmetic enhancement to temporarily reduce wrinkles and fine lines in the face, banish neck bands, and clear away crow's feet. BOTOX® was approved by the FDA for non-cosmetic use in 1989 and approved for cosmetic use in 2002. For over 11 years it has been used to treat over 1 million patients worldwide.

The earliest form of BOTOX® was used in the 1960's as an investigational drug for treating crossed eyes, a condition caused by uncontrollable muscle spasms behind the eye.

The brand name BOTOX® is short for botulinum toxin A. Botulinum toxin A is a neurotoxin produced by the bacteria called Clostridium botulinum, which causes the form of food poisoning we know as botulism. In some severe cases, the food poisoning version of botulism can be fatal if the individual is paralyzed by the botulism toxins. These toxins bind to nerve endings and prevent muscles from contracting by blocking release of acetylcholine, which causes muscle contractions, from the nerve. This is basically how Botox works, but within much smaller and safer parameters. Non-cosmetic Botox is often used to cease involuntary muscle spasms.

New uses for BOTOX® are being currently being studied, including treatment of head and neck tremors, hyperhydrosis (excessive sweating) , migraine headaches, facial spasms, TMJ, and writer's cramp.