BOTOX® has been around for several decades (about 50 years now) and was originally used for therapeutic purposes. For over 2 decades, the drug has been used in Canada, with approval from the FDA, for something totally unrelated to wrinkles: the treatment of strabismus. Strabismus is the technical term for “crossed eyes”, and injection could help by controlling the muscles to correct this condition.

Shortly following strabismus, other medical conditions were also included, namely those related to acute muscular contractions in the areas of the shoulders and neck.

Interestingly, the wrinkle-smoothing properties of BOTOX® were only discovered after therapeutic usage of the drug around the eyes, and in 2001, it was approved by Health Canada for the treatment of wrinkles.

Nowadays, BOTOX® remains in the spotlight not just for its ability to get rid of pesky wrinkles effectively and safely, but because it is continuously being used for other conditions from which resounding success is achieved. Here are a few other medical conditions doctors have found BOTOX® to effectively and safely treat:

hyperhidrosis of the armpits
chronic migraines
urinary incontinence
spasticity

BOTOX® is a fascinating drug that has many medical uses, totally unrelated to wrinkles. After much research and testing, the FDA and Health Canada has included other indications since it was first approved for strabismus.