Not just for migraines and wrinkles: Docs using Botox for bladder spasms, excessive sweating

Now that the FDA has approved Botox for treating chronic migraines, we wanted to know what else the freezing fluid was being used for.

How about leaky bladders, gummy smiles, excessive sweating and involuntary winking?

Off-label use of a medicine is quite common but it is especially prevalent with Botox, Dr. Craig A. Vander Kolk, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore told the News.

Grin too pink? Docs claim Botox can actually redo a “gummy” smile.

“The vast majority of people have no idea they can get rid of a horsey smile by dropping their upper lip a little,” Dr. Joseph Eviatar, board-certified oculofacial plastic surgeon and ophthalmologist, and medical director of Chelsea Eye and Plastic Surgery Associates,. “It’s possible with Botox.”

The drug is proving popular with patients who suffer from involuntary tics and movements.

Dr. Noah Rosen, a neurologist at North Shore University Hospital, uses it to treat patients who have involuntary winking of the eye. “It’s also useful to treat people who have had a stroke.”

Dr. Peter McAllister, a neurologist in Fairfield, Connecticut who is a clinical assistant professor of neurology at Yale University School of Medicine, says Botox can be used to treat bladder spasms.  “It also can be used to treat excessive sweating,” he explains.

Then there’s trumpet-lip.

Vander Kolk recently used it on a brass instrument player who injured his lip playing the horn. “As you can imagine, this is a devastating type of injury for the player,” he said. “I see patients from around the country from all the major orchestras.”

“You can’t quite call it a miracle drug but it is an amazing medication,” says Vander Kolk. “It does things to smooth muscles that help many conditions.  It has so many different uses that it has changed things a lot for people.  It’s helpful for many different conditions.”

Source:  By Rosemary Black, Thursday, October 21st 2010 at http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/2010/10/20/2010-10-20_not_just_for_migraines_and_wrinkles_docs_using_botox_for_bladder_spasms_excessiv.html#ixzz131bywECR