Botox Treatment for Urinary Incontinence

FDA Approves Botox to Treat Specific Form of Urinary Incontinence

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) injection to treat urinary incontinence in people with neurologic conditions such as spinal cord injury and multiple sclerosis who have overactivity of the bladder.

Uninhibited urinary bladder contractions in people with some neurological conditions can lead to an inability to store urine. Current management of this condition includes medications to relax the bladder and use of a catheter to regularly empty the bladder.

The treatment consists of Botox being injected into the bladder resulting in relaxation of the bladder, an increase in its storage capacity and a decrease in urinary incontinence.

"Urinary incontinence associated with neurologic conditions can be difficult to manage," said George Benson, deputy director, Division of Reproductive and Urologic Products. "Botox offers another treatment option for these patients."

Injection of the bladder with Botox is performed using cystoscopy, a procedure that allows a doctor to visualize the interior of the bladder. Cystoscopy may require general anesthesia. The duration of the effect of Botox on urinary incontinence in patients with bladder overactivity associated with a neurologic condition is up to 10 months.

SOURCE:



FDA.gov