How Botox is used

The popular injectable drug Botox smooth wrinkles for up to six months by paralyzing nerve endings around muscles.

The drug, which is made from a form of botulism, is available by prescription and also treats a wide variety of other ailments including crossed eyes, sweaty palms, headaches and juvenile cerebral palsy.

The makers say Botox and the less widely used botulinum-toxin-based drug Myobloc are safe when used as approved by the federal government.

On Friday, the government said at least one death and other serious side effects have been linked to botulinum-based drugs but declined to say which ones.

In rare cases, the Food and Drug Administration said, the toxin may have spread beyond the injection site to other parts of the body, resulting in such problems as paralysis of respiratory muscles and difficulty swallowing.

The most serious effects were among children with cerebral palsy who were injected with the drug to halt muscle spasms, a use not approved by regulators.

Caroline Van Hove, a spokeswoman for Botox maker Allergan Inc., said some children with cerebral palsy may have received far larger doses injected into their leg muscles than the doses given adults seeking wrinkle care.

Source: Times research