Vancouver ophthalmologist Jean Carruthers and her husband, Alastair Carruthers, a dermatologist, are credited with pioneering the cosmetic use of botulinum toxin, or Botox, in the late 1980s. Allergan, the company that purchased the product OnabotulinumToxin, conducted clinical trials and submitted the data to the FDA, which approved its therapeutic use. Today, Botox is no longer seen as a hobby of the wealthy and vain; it has become a popular cosmetic treatment for many people. Christa Campsall, a clinic coordinator, has seen how Botox can put patients at ease.
However, over time, Botox treatments lose their effectiveness and wrinkles begin to reappear. Receiving injections of botulinum toxin type A, mainly from Botox but also from Dysport, has become increasingly popular. In 1978, Dr. Scott used Clostridium botulinum for therapeutic purposes and this marked the beginning of Botox's journey.
Despite some of its unapproved uses not yet being proven, interest in the drug remains high. Bethenny Frankel has her jaw injected to relieve symptoms of bruxism (teeth grinding), and actress Kristin Chenoweth uses Botox to treat her migraines. Jackie is one example of someone who has received Botox four times over the years. Dr.
Scott still treats some of the same patients who started Botox injections 20 years ago and have not experienced any adverse reactions. The studies that used Botox for depression were so encouraging that they caught Allergan's attention. Rosenthal and Finzi's research showed that 74 people with major depressive disorder who were randomly assigned to receive Botox injections or a placebo had positive results. Botox's mission has been driven by off-label use and its potential is still being explored today. If further research confirms its effectiveness in treating depression, it could be approved as an official treatment for this condition.
