BOTOX AND MYOBLOC

Botox and Myobloc are isolated toxins from clostridium botulinum. In large amounts clostridium botulinum causes food poisoning known as botulism. However, small amounts injected into skeletal muscle impair the release of a chemical called acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is normally released at the neuromuscular junction and allows muscle contraction. Blocking this chemical release causes temporary paralysis of the local muscle fibers that come into contact with the medicine. Because muscles are made up of millions of muscle fibers, injection of clostridium botulinum in therapeutic doses does not cause
pure paralysis, but causes weakness, thus decreasing muscle spasm and decreasing pain.