Botulinum toxin is commonly referred to as what?

Botulinum toxin is commonly referred to as Botox. Botox is the best-known brand name for a purified preparation of botulinum neurotoxin, especially botulinum toxin type A.

The toxin is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. In nerves, it blocks the release of acetylcholine, a chemical signal needed for muscles to contract. This can cause the dangerous paralysis associated with botulism, but carefully controlled doses are used medically and cosmetically.

Botox was first associated with treating muscle spasms and other medical conditions before becoming famous for temporarily reducing facial wrinkles. A common mix-up is treating “Botox” as the name of every botulinum-toxin product. It is actually a trademarked product name; other formulations include Dysport, Xeomin, and Myobloc.

The same underlying toxin can therefore be both a serious poison and a useful medicine, depending on its preparation, dose, and delivery.