Botox, which is a brand name, has become the generic term for wrinkle elimination treatment. Itโs actually so much more than that. Patients with various medical conditions have found relief through Botox treatments, and new studies find the medication helps cancer patients suffering from peripheral neuropathy.
Chemotherapy and Peripheral Neuropathy
Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy withย cisplatin, carboplatin andย oxaliplatinย may develop painful peripheral neuropathy. This condition results from damage to nerves controlling arms and legs sensation. Symptoms of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy include:
- shooting pains
- loss of feeling
- changesย in touch perception โ cold feels hot, andย vice versa.
In some patients, symptoms eventually subside. Others are not so fortunate, and neuropathy becomes permanent.
A Study in Mice
A study published in July, 2015 edition ofย Anesthesia and Analgesiaย reports that mice with chemotherapy induced neuropathy were given Botox injections. As a result of Botox injections mice in the study experienced significant pain reduction.ย Local injections into an affected paw reduced pain in mice for more than two weeks, and Botox injected into the spine reduced pain in all four paws.
A Study in People
Results of a French study appeared in February 29, 2016 edition ofย The Lancet. The double- blind, placebo-controlled study took place at two French outpatient clinics and a clinic in Brazil. Patients with neuropathy โ although not necessarily chemotherapy-induced one โ were either givenย botulinum toxin Aย or a placebo over a 24-week period.ย Botulinum toxin A is the active ingredient in Botox.ย Patients receivingย botulinum toxin A had reduced pain intensity over those receiving the placebo. The study conclusion states, โTwo administrations of botulinum toxinย A, each of which comprised of several injections, have a sustained analgesic effect against peripheral neuropathic pain.โ
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