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Chapters

0:09 Introduction
0:50 is Botox safe
1:56 what Botox side effects should you watch out for




Botulinum toxin (BoNT), often shortened to Botox, is a neurotoxic protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum and related species.[6] It prevents the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine from axon endings at the neuromuscular junction, thus causing flaccid paralysis.[7] The toxin causes the disease botulism. The toxin is also used commercially for medical and cosmetic purposes.

The seven main types of botulinum toxin are named types A to G (A, B, C1, C2, D, E, F and G).[8][9] New types are occasionally found.[10][11] Types A and B are capable of causing disease in humans, and are also used commercially and medically.[12][13][14] Types C–G are less common; types E and F can cause disease in humans, while the other types cause disease in other animals.[15] Botulinum toxin types A and B are used in medicine to treat various muscle spasms.

Botulinum toxins are among the most potent toxins known.[16] Intoxication can occur naturally as a result of either wound or intestinal infection or by ingesting formed toxin in food. The estimated human lethal dose of type A toxin is 1.3–2.1 ng/kg intravenously or intramuscularly, 10–13 ng/kg when inhaled, or 1000 ng/kg when taken by mouth.[17] Commercial forms are marketed under the brand names Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA), Dysport/Azzalure (abobotulinumtoxinA),[18] Xeomin/Bocouture (incobotulinumtoxinA),[19] and Jeuveau (prabotulinumtoxinA).[20][21]