ABSTRACT
Of the eight existing botulinum toxin (BTX) serotypes, the one designated BTX type A (BTX-A) is the purest form and was the first to be developed for clinical use.1
Today, three commercial brands are currently marketed in Brazil, and in other countries, approved for cosmetic use: Dysport® (Ipsen, France), BOTOX® (Allergan, USA), and Prosigne® (Lanzhou Institute of Biological Products, China). A commercial brand of the botulinum toxin B (BTX-B), Myobloc®/NeuroBloc® (Elan Pharmaceuticals Inc, USA) has been granted approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of cervical dystonia,2 though there are few studies on the safety and effectiveness of this toxin for cosmetic use.3,4 Additionally, studies on new preparations derived from other toxins, from both botulinum and alternatives, are under way, and they may reach the markets of several countries in the future.
