Drug Design, Development and Therapy (Mar 2016)
Spotlight on botulinum toxin and its potential in the treatment of stroke-related spasticity
Abstract
Michelle Kaku, David M Simpson Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA Abstract: Poststroke spasticity affects up to one-half of stroke patients and has debilitating effects, contributing to diminished activities of daily living, quality of life, pain, and functional impairments. Botulinum toxin (BoNT) is proven to be safe and effective in the treatment of focal poststroke spasticity. The aim of this review is to highlight BoNT and its potential in the treatment of upper and lower limb poststroke spasticity. We review evidence for the efficacy of BoNT type A and B formulations and address considerations of optimal injection technique, patient and caregiver satisfaction, and potential adverse effects of BoNT. Keywords: poststroke spasticity, botulinum toxin, onabotulinumtoxinA, incobotulinumtoxinA, rimabotulinumtoxinB