[Pharmacology of botulinum toxin drugs].

Botulinum toxin (BT) is used with remarkable success to treat various disorders caused by muscle hyperactivities or exocrine gland overactivity. Its use for treatment of non-muscular pain conditions is currently being explored. In Germany, BT type A is available as Botox®, Dysport® and Xeomin®, BT type B as NeuroBloc®. In aesthetic medicine they are called Vistabel®, Azzalure® and Bocouture®. Numerous other BT drugs are used worldwide. Often, their origin is dubious. BT drugs consist of botulinum neurotoxin, complexing proteins and adjuvants. Their manufacturing process is highly complex. BT drugs vary in many aspects. By no means are they generics. Clinically relevant differences include their potency labeling, antigenicity, presence of complexing proteins, storage conditions, pH value of the reconstituted drug and pharmaceutical preparation.