THE THERAPEUTIC PURPOSES OF BOTULINUM TOXIN TYPE A

Abstract

Botulinum Toxin Type A (BTA) is the most widely studied serotype for therapeutic purposes, to be able to play an extremely effective role in the quality of life of patients. Therefore, this work aimed to disagree on the different therapeutic purposes of BTA. In this sense, an integrative literature review was carried out through a specialized search in the PubMed, Scielo and LILACS databases using the descriptors in health sciences: botulinum toxin, therapeutic use and aesthetic use, and the Boolean operators (AND and OR) to perform combinations. The research sought information from 2018 to 2023 and aimed to answer the following guiding question: “What are the various therapeutic purposes of botulinum toxin type A?”. In the initial search, 1,635 articles were found, and after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 27 articles were selected in this research, divided between the PubMed®, Scielo and LILACS databases. The studies analyzed address the use of BTA in various pathologies, with studies published annually, from 2018 to 2023, reducing its potential therapeutic. Among the clinical conditions found, the use of BTA stood out in neurological conditions, such as in the treatment of chronic and vestibular migraines, followed by the use of BTA in oral and maxillofacial disorders, and musculoskeletal disorders. Other studies found the use of BTA in the treatment of overactive bladder, dermatological pathologies, and other pathologies. In the vast majority of studies, the use of BTA showed a high level of satisfaction among patients, in addition to some reported adverse effects and good prognoses. This integrative review reinforces the importance of in-depth knowledge about BTA and its therapeutic potential. Furthermore, it highlights the role of the pharmaceutical professional, who is essential to guarantee the safety, effectiveness and quality of BTA.