Botox is a purified form of botulinum toxin, the most poisonous known protein and the cause of botulism food poisoning. It was originally approved in 1989 for treatment of strabismus (crossed or diverging eyes), blepharospasm (severe eyelid twitching), and facial spasm because it paralyzes the muscles involved. It is now also prescribed for facial wrinkles caused by muscle contractions, excessive underarm sweating, and muscular spasticity and pain. Further studies are under way to determine its effectiveness in treating headaches, prostate symptoms, asthma, obesity, and other conditions.

The effectiveness of Botox treatments varies from one person to the next. In general, though, Botox provides temporary (weeks to months) relief of symptoms until their toxic proteins are broken down by the body.
Source(s):
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/botox.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botulinum_toxin


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