Pharmacy News Article

Mar 10, 2010 (Datamonitor via COMTEX) Allergan, a multi-specialty healthcare company, has reported that the FDA has approved Botox for the treatment of increased muscle stiffness in the elbow, wrist and fingers in adults with upper limb spasticity.

According to Allergan, Botox is a prescription-only medical product that contains tiny amounts of highly purified botulinum toxin protein refined from the bacterium, Clostridium botulinum.

In patients diagnosed with upper limb spasticity, Botox is injected by a trained specialist directly into the affected muscles, blocking overactive nerve impulses that trigger these disabling contractions to reduce the severity of increased muscle tone in the elbow, wrist and fingers. In clinical studies, the efficacy of Botox persisted up to three months on average, Allergan said.

Botox is reportedly the first and only neurotoxin approved by the FDA for the treatment of upper limb spasticity.

Mitchell Brin, Allergan's senior vice president of global development and chief scientific officer for Botox, said: "Upper limb spasticity can manifest weeks, months or even years after the original injury, possibly after a patient has stopped seeing a neurologist, physiatrist or their rehabilitation specialist, which is why it is severely undertreated and there's a low awareness of the condition.

"The approval of Botox marks another important evolution in medical care, as we look to raise greater recognition and understanding of upper limb spasticity among patients affected by the condition, and refer them to a neurologist or physiatrist to explore their various treatment options."

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