Botulift: see how it acts on the body, what it is for and prices

The search for aesthetic changes has been increasing and the popularization of facial harmonization procedures has made a great contribution to this scenario.

Thus, in order to meet these demands, laboratories develop several substances that, in addition to aesthetic purposes, also have a therapeutic potential, capable of improving the quality of life of patients.

One of these substances is Botulift, used in aesthetic procedures and in treatments such as spasms and facial contractions. Check out more information about this medicine below.

Contents

What is Botulift?

The Botulift is a compound medicament for botulinum toxin type A, produced from a pathogenic bacterium (which may cause disease) called Clostridium botulinum. It blocks communication between nerves and muscles, causing muscle relaxation of the face.

For this reason, it is indicated for the treatment of muscle problems, especially facial ones, such as spasms and paralysis.

In addition, Botulift can also be used in aesthetic procedures, in order to smooth muscle movement that causes fine lines of expression and deeper wrinkles.

The application of Botulift should be done only by a specialized person, through an intramuscular injection, which should be diluted in a sodium chloride solution (0.9%).

It should be administered in small amounts in specific regions, according to each case. For example, it can be on the face or, in pediatric cerebral palsy , on the leg.

What is Botulift for?

Botulift is used to treat problems such as blepharospasm (involuntary contractions of the eyelids), hemifacial spasm (involuntary contraction of the facial muscles), infantile deformities caused by cerebral palsy, which increases muscle stiffness, and to treat facial sequelae due to stroke cerebral.

In addition, it is indicated to smooth fine lines of expression and deep wrinkles, such as vertical lines between the eyebrows, crow’s feet and horizontal lines on the forehead.

It can also be used to reposition the eyebrows, weakening and relaxing the forehead muscle, thus decreasing the contraction and preventing the formation of new wrinkles. However, the package insert guides you to avoid application close to the levator muscle of the eyelid, close to the supra-orbital bone crest (eyebrow region).

Has botulinum toxin always had aesthetic purposes?

No. About 30 years ago, the toxin was used by Canadian ophthalmologist Dr. Jean Carruthers, for medical purposes, to treat eye spasms.

However, some patients began to report that, with the application of the substance, facial expression lines had been attenuated.

She then talked to her husband, dermatologist Dr. Alastair Carruthers, about the reports and began to study the possibility of using botulinum toxin for aesthetic purposes.

They concluded, then, that the substance is effective to attenuate the expression lines on the face, because it relaxes the muscles that create these lines, raising the eyebrows and giving a more uniform facial appearance.

In Brazil, the toxin has been used for therapeutic purposes since 1992 and in aesthetics, it started and used only in the 2000s.

How does botulinum toxin age in the body?

Botulinum toxin, when injected, acts by preventing the transmission of stimuli from neurons to muscles by inhibiting the release of acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter that participates in muscle contraction).

This causes the nerve to send less information to the muscle, partially or completely inhibiting muscle contraction.

However, the effect of the toxin is temporary, as the body can absorb the substance over time and find other ways to move the muscles.

The initial effect of applying the toxin can be seen in 3 days and reaches its maximum peak up to 2 weeks after treatment. It relaxes the muscles in an increasing way until reaching the desired effect.

In the treatment of muscle contraction in children (2 to 10 years old) with cerebral palsy, clinical improvement usually occurs about 4 weeks after application.

Botulinum toxin brands and prices

Several brands produce botulinum toxin and, therefore, it can be found under different trade names. Check out some of them below:

  • Botulift: Bergamo brand. The price can vary according to the quantity (50U, 100U or 200U) from R $ 850 to R $ 1,750 *;
  • Botox: Allergan brand. The price may vary according to the quantity (50U, 100U or 200U) from R $ 1,200 to R $ 4,833.10 *;
  • Dysport: Ipsen brand. The price may vary according to the quantity (300U or 500U) from R $ 1,200 to R $ 2,579.85 *;
  • Xeomin : Biolab brand. The price of 100U can vary between R $ 945 and R $ 1,117.65 *;
  • Prosigne: Cristália brand. The price may vary according to the quantity (50U or 100U) from R $ 1,462.50 to R $ 1,755 *;
  • Botulim : Blau brand. The price may vary according to the quantity (50U, 100U or 200U) from R $ 790 to R $ 1,700 *.

At Consulta Remédios , you can compare prices and buy botulinum toxin with a prescription.

* Prices consulted in October 2019. Prices may change without notice.

Botulift or Dysport?

Competition between brands is beneficial to the market, as this makes them improve their formulas and make prices more competitive.

To compare the two brands, it is necessary to note some specific points. Dysport, for example, has an indication for the treatment of excessive sweat, while Botulift does not.

According to the package insert, the application of Botulift should also be avoided in regions close to the eyebrows (close to the levator muscle of the upper eyelid and close to the supra-orbital bone crest).

Other specifications are:

  • Both are type A botulinum toxins, approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA);
  • Both are applied with the same technique, by means of injection directly in the place where the treatment is to be carried out;
  • Both work in the same way, relaxing the muscles in order to inhibit contractions and spasms;
  • Both Botulift and Dysport have a temporary effect and, therefore, should be reapplied after about 3 to 6 months;
  • The results of both proved to be quite effective, both for aesthetic and therapeutic purposes, when diluted and applied correctly by professionals;
  • The price is usually approximate, but in a recent consultation, it was found that Botulift has a value slightly below Dysport;
  • Dysport contains lactose, so it is not indicated for people with lactose intolerance.

The choice will depend on the amount to be invested, medical indication, intention of treatment (aesthetic or health) and possible allergies to the formulation components.

From the points observed, Botulift ends up having the best cost-benefit ratio, as it has the lowest value, in addition to not having lactose in its composition.

Side effects

Side effects of Botulift are usually minimal and can appear within a few hours or weeks. Regarding the application procedure (local injection) for the treatment of blepharospasm, pain or swelling may occur locally and in the surrounding areas.

Some other effects observed are: foreign body sensation, irritation, tearing of the eyes, difficulty in closing the eyelids, exaggerated sensitivity to light, eyelid turned in or out, corneal injury and double vision.

Less likely, some patients may experience temporary weakness of the nearby muscles, headache and eyebrows and eyelids drooping temporarily.

In the use for specific purposes, some adverse reactions have been observed:

Blepharospasm

A study of patients with blepharospasm, who received injections of botulinum toxin, identified some frequent adverse reactions resulting from treatment, such as droopy eyelids, superficial corneal damage and dry eyes.

The reactions were mild to moderate in intensity, with the exception of one case of droopy eyelid that was classified as severe.

Espasmo Hemifacial

The following adverse reactions have been observed with the use of Botulift for the treatment of hemifacial spasms: dry eye, incomplete closure of the eyelids and facial swelling.

Treatment in children with cerebral palsy

In the treatment of children with muscle contractions in their feet, resulting from cerebral palsy, the following adverse reactions were observed in a clinical study conducted in Korea with 60 patients:

  • Nasopharingite;
  • Infection caused by the haemophilus bacterium ;
  • Increased body temperature;
  • Alteration of motor coordination;
  • Pain in the body extremities;
  • Clogging of the tear duct;
  • Muscle disorders;
  • Febrile seizure;
  • Constipation;
  • Pneumonia;
  • Weakness;
  • Stiffness in the muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, or in the skin, restricting the normal movement of the region;
  • Muscle weakness;
  • Conjunctivitis;
  • Headache;
  • Anemia.

Some of the adverse reactions may have occurred due to the specific characteristics of the patients, although many of them are similar to the others presented with the use of the substance by patients in general.

Treatment of facial lines

In the aesthetic treatment to attenuate the expression lines of the forehead, the following likely adverse reactions were observed in patients aged 18 to 65 years of age:

  • Falling of the eyelid;
  • Nasopharyngitis (cold);
  • Headache;
  • Increased blood glucose;
  • Joint sprain (stretching or tearing of the ligaments that connect bones and joints);
  • Presence of white blood cells in the urine;
  • Eyelid diseases (blepharitis, sty, chalazion, etc.).

Most of the side effects reported were temporary and mild to moderate in intensity.

Stroke treatment

Adverse reactions, from mild to moderate, have been observed temporarily in patients with muscle spasms due to stroke:

  • Nasopharingite;
  • Pain in the extremities;
  • Cough;
  • Diarrhea;
  • Nausea;
  • Vomiting;
  • Low back pain (pain in the lower back);
  • Peripheral edema (usually in the lower limbs);
  • Abdominal distension (swelling and dilation in the belly region);
  • Dyspepsia (sensation of digestive discomfort);
  • Infections in the upper respiratory tract;
  • Musculoskeletal pain (in bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints);
  • Hematoma in the area of ​​injection application;
  • Fever;
  • Acute cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder).

Durability: how long before Botulift leaves the body?

Botulift achieves the expected result approximately 3 days after application, with the peak of action occurring, on average, 1 to 2 weeks after the start of blepharospasm treatment.

In cases of spasticity in pediatric patients with cerebral palsy, clinical improvement is estimated at approximately 4 weeks after administration.

The effect gradually disappears and the muscle regains its normal movement.

With continuous application, at regular intervals of at least 3 months, it may occur that the muscle gradually weakens, causing the effect to last longer.

In the treatment of blepharospasm done more frequently than every 3 months, in some cases, tolerance to the substance may occur. However, the effect of the medicine is rarely permanent.

The duration of action may vary between patients who have used botulinum toxin for the same purposes or for different purposes (aesthetic or therapeutic).


People who need treatment with Botulift or other high-cost medications can count on the assistance of Consulta Remédios when it comes to obtaining a judicial budget.

The personalized service guarantees the best assistance for those who need access to medications. Want to know how it works? Just access the link !

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