In response to the occurrence of these side effects, in 2008, the FDA notified the public of the potential dangers of the botulinum toxin as a therapeutic. Namely, the toxin can spread to areas distant from the site of injection and paralyze unintended muscle groups, especially when used for treating muscle spasticity in children treated for cerebral palsy. In 2009, the FDA announced that boxed warnings would be added to available botulinum toxin products, warning of their ability to spread from the injection site. However, the clinical use of botulinum toxin A in cerebral palsy children has been proven to be safe with minimal side effects. Additionally, the FDA announced name changes to several botulinum toxin products, to emphasize that the products are not interchangeable and require different doses for proper use. Botox and Botox Cosmetic were given the generic name of onabotulinumtoxinA, Myobloc as rimabotulinumtoxinB, and Dysport retained its generic name of abobotulinumtoxinA. In conjunction with this, the FDA issued a communication to health care professionals reiterating the new drug names and the approved uses for each. A similar warning was issued by Health Canada in 2009, warning that botulinum toxin products can spread to other parts of the body.
In response to the occurrence of these side effects in 2008 the FDA notified the public of the potential dangers of the botulinum toxin as a therapeutic Namely the toxin can spread to areas distant from the site of injection and paralyze unintended muscle groups especially when used for treating muscle spasticity in children treated for cerebral palsy In 2009 the FDA announced that boxed warnings would be added to available botulinum toxin products warning of their ability to spread from the injection site However the clinical use of botulinum toxin A in cerebral palsy children has been proven to be safe with minimal side effects Additionally the FDA announced name changes to several botulinum toxin products to emphasize that the products are not interchangeable and require different doses for proper use Botox and Botox Cosmetic were given the generic name of onabotulinumtoxinA Myobloc as rimabotulinumtoxinB and Dysport retained its generic name of abobotulinumtoxinA In conjunction with this the FDA issued a communication to health care professionals reiterating the new drug names and the approved uses for each A similar warning was issued by Health Canada in 2009 warning that botulinum toxin products can spread to other parts of the body