Botox, The “Wonder Drug”

Of late, Botox is beginning to be used more and more for its originally intended purpose as a cure for medical conditions, rather than as a reliever of cosmetic woes. Korea is no exception to this trend, and the field of application for Botox is expanding, from the treatment of blepharospasm (spasms of the eyelids or uncontrollable blinking), strabismus (or “lazy eyes”), cerebral palsy, post-stroke spasticity, migraines, bladder dysfunction, and myofascial pain syndrome, to jaw alignment problems, hyperhydrosis (excessive sweating), and even anal fissures.

Hyperhydrosis and Muscle Spasticity—

The world’s premiere medical journal, the “New England Journal of Medicine” (NEJM), ran a study detailing the effects of Botox treatment on patients suffering from hyperhydrosis in its February 2002 issue. The research team administered Botox injections to 145 patients, who produce 4 cups of perspiration in 8 hours. The results showed a whopping 85 percent decrease in perspiration levels.

In August of the same year, NEJM carried an article on the positive effects of Botox for relieving post-stroke spasticity in fingers and wrists. The researchers divided 126 test patients into two groups, administering Botox to group A and a placebo to Group B. The first group experienced a 63-precent decrease in pain, as well as enhanced muscle softness. Only 27 percent of Group B showed improvements.

Botox Effective in Pain Relief—

Botox relieves muscle contractions and dulls pain signals being transmitted through the central nervous system.

The “American Journal of Pain Management,” the official publication of the American Academy of Pain Management, ran a study that substantiates Botox’s pain-relieving effects. When Botox injections were administered to 25 patients suffering from pain that had persisted for three months or more, the results showed a decrease in the experience of pain after four weeks, and a near-eradication of pain in 40 percent of the patients after eight weeks.

The American Academy of Neurology also published study results verifying the relief of pain in 55.6 percent of test patients suffering from myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) after being injected with Botox.

A Flood of Study Results—

At the January 2003 Botox Forum, held in Seoul, a study on the effects of Botox in migraine sufferers was released, showing alleviation of symptoms in 85.6 percent of 271 test patients.

In 2001, a researcher at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine announced that out of 300 patients suffering from cerebral palsy, more than 90 percent showed an improvement after being injected with Botox.

In May of this year, the American Urological Association announced that among 110 patients with bladder dysfunction who were injected with Botox over a period of 6 years, 67 percent experienced complete relief from symptoms. A study from Germany reported improvement in 80 percent of a group of patients suffering from anal fissures, a form of hemorrhoids.

What Are the Side Effects?—

In general, doctors say that Botox is safe to use, with relatively few side effects.

But there is still cause for caution. American Botox specialist Dr. Amy Lang recommends using Botox as a last resort, after such traditional treatments as exercise, painkillers, and massage therapy have been exhausted.

An additional drawback is the lack of studies on long-term side effects. British biochemist Nicholas Abrishamian wrote in an article in the September 2002 issue of the medical journal “Lancet” that Botox “works by causing damage to the nervous system.” He warned, “How do I know that it`s not going to slowly cause even more nervous system damage?”

Of course, the side effects caused in cosmetic uses of Botox to erase “frown lines” are well known. One out of 100 users experience drooping eyelids. Swollen eyelids and even bruising have been reported. Or you could end up with a stiff and expressionless “mask face.” Botox can also cause double vision or headaches.

(Assistance from Professor Kim Jong-seong, Department of Neurology, and Professor Park Su-seong, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, at Asan Medical Center; Professor Oh Gap-seong, Department of Plastic Surgery, and Professor Hong Jong-lak, Department of Oral Faciomaxillary Surgery, the Institute of Oral Health Science, at Samsung Medical Center)

Sang Hoon Kim corekim@donga.com