TheraRadar

Pharma Intelligence, Simplified

Data updated: Mar 10, 2026

BOTOX COSMETIC

OnabotulinumtoxinA Acetylcholine Release Inhibitors
Approved 1991-12-09

BOTOX Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA) is an acetylcholine release inhibitor and neuromuscular blocking agent indicated for use in adult patients. It is used for the temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe glabellar lines, lateral canthal lines, forehead lines, and platysma bands. The treatment targets specific muscle activity in the face and neck, including the corrugator, procerus, orbicularis oculi, frontalis, and platysma muscles. By reducing localized muscle activity, the drug addresses aesthetic concerns related to these specific muscle groups.

Source: FDA Label • AbbVie • Acetylcholine Release Inhibitor

How BOTOX COSMETIC Works

BOTOX Cosmetic blocks neuromuscular transmission by binding to motor nerve terminals and inhibiting the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. The neurotoxin enters the nerve terminals and cleaves SNAP-25, a pre-synaptic protein required for the successful release of acetylcholine from vesicles. This inhibition results in partial chemical denervation and a localized reduction in muscle activity at the injection site. While the treatment causes temporary muscle relaxation, reinnervation of the muscle may eventually occur to reverse the denervation.

Source: FDA Label
23
Indications
--
Phase 3 Trials
2
Priority Reviews
34
Years on Market

Details

Status
Prescription
First Approved
1991-12-09
Routes
SINGLE-USE
Dosage Forms
VIAL

Companies

Active Ingredient: OnabotulinumtoxinA

BOTOX COSMETIC Approval History

Loading approval history...

What BOTOX COSMETIC Treats

4 indications

BOTOX COSMETIC is approved for 4 conditions since its original approval in 1991. These indications span multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, and more.

  • Glabellar Lines
  • Lateral Canthal Lines
  • Forehead Lines
  • Platysma Bands
Source: FDA Label

BOTOX COSMETIC Boxed Warning

DISTANT SPREAD OF TOXIN EFFECT Postmarketing reports indicate that the effects of BOTOX Cosmetic and all botulinum toxin products may spread from the area of injection to produce symptoms consistent with botulinum toxin effects. These may include asthenia, generalized muscle weakness, diplopia, ptosis, dysphagia, dysphonia, dysarthria, urinary incontinence and breathing difficulties. These symptoms have been reported hours to weeks after injection. Swallowing and breathing difficulties can be li...

🔬

Active Pipeline

Pro

Ongoing clinical trials by development phase

Loading...

Key Completed Trials

Pro

Completed studies with published results, ranked by significance

Loading...
📊

Trial Timeline

Full development history with FDA approval milestones

Loading...
Understanding FDA Approval Types
Count Type What it means
- ORIG Original approval - drug first enters market
- SUPPL - Efficacy New indication (new disease/condition approved)
- SUPPL - Labeling Label text changes (warnings, dosing updates)
- SUPPL - Manufacturing Production changes (new facility)
- SUPPL - Chemistry Formulation changes (new dosage strength)

Green lines in the timeline show ORIG and Efficacy approvals - the clinically meaningful milestones.

BOTOX COSMETIC FDA Label Details

Pro

Indications & Usage

FDA Label (PDF)

BOTOX Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA) is indicated in adult patients for the temporary improvement in the appearance of: • moderate to severe glabellar lines associated with corrugator and/or procerus muscle activity • moderate to severe lateral canthal lines associated with orbicularis oculi activity • moderate to severe forehead lines associated with frontalis muscle activity • moderate to severe platysma bands associated with platysma muscle activity BOTOX Cosmetic is an acetylcholine release inhibitor and a neuromuscular blocking agent indicated in adult patients for the temporary improvemen...

⚠️ BOXED WARNING

WARNING: DISTANT SPREAD OF TOXIN EFFECT Postmarketing reports indicate that the effects of BOTOX Cosmetic and all botulinum toxin products may spread from the area of injection to produce symptoms consistent with botulinum toxin effects. These may include asthenia, generalized muscle weakness, diplo...

Want competitive intelligence?

See who's developing similar drugs and track their progress

View Pipeline Dashboard

Data Sources

Data sourced from official FDA and NIH databases. Click links to verify on original sources.