Alternative Clinical Indications of Botulinum Toxin

Am J Clin Dermatol. 2020 Dec;21(6):855-880. doi: 10.1007/s40257-020-00532-0.

Abstract

Botulinum toxin type A (BoNTA) is a powerful neurotoxin that inhibits acetylcholine release from presynaptic vesicles. The potency and safety profile of BoNTA grant the toxin vast therapeutic potential. It has been used off-label for a variety of dermatologic conditions. This review aims to analyze published literature regarding the benefits and risks of the off-label use of BoNTA beyond facial lines, including eccrine hidrocystomas, enlarged pores, keloids and hypertrophic scars, hidradenitis suppurativa, hyperhidrosis, masseter muscle hypertrophy, and salivary gland hypertrophy, among others. A MEDLINE search from January 2000 to December 2019 was conducted on the off-label uses of botulinum toxin in dermatology.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholine Release Inhibitors / administration & dosage*
  • Acetylcholine Release Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A / administration & dosage*
  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A / adverse effects
  • Cicatrix, Hypertrophic / drug therapy
  • Dermatology / methods*
  • Dermatology / standards
  • Hidradenitis Suppurativa / drug therapy
  • Hidrocystoma / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Hyperhidrosis / drug therapy
  • Hypertrophy / drug therapy
  • Injections, Intralesional / methods
  • Injections, Intralesional / standards
  • Injections, Subcutaneous / methods
  • Injections, Subcutaneous / standards
  • Keloid / drug therapy
  • Masseter Muscle / abnormalities
  • Off-Label Use*
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Salivary Glands / pathology
  • Sweat Gland Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Acetylcholine Release Inhibitors
  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A

Supplementary concepts

  • Masticatory Muscles, Hypertrophy of