2. PM&R Vol. 2, Iss. 4, 2010 283
each product differs in terms of unit potencies, efficacy, verse reactions. The petition was a response to reports of hospi-
diffusion, duration of action, and side effects. talization and death of 16 people injected with botulinum toxin,
In 1989 the FDA approved the use of botulinum toxin A including children with CP who had botulinum toxin injected
(Botox) in the treatment of strabismus and blepharospasm. into their lower limbs for control of spasticity.
Approval of Botox for cervical dystonia, primary axillary hyper- The FDA embarked on a systematic review of the literature,
hidrosis, and glabellar lines was obtained in the subsequent postmarketing Adverse Event Reporting System Database, and
decade. Approval of other botulinum toxin formulations was the clinical studies submitted by the manufacturers of the dif-
granted in 2000 (botulinum toxin B; Myobloc) and in 2009 ferent types of botulinum toxins. A search of Adverse Event
(botulinum toxin A; Dysport). In March 2010, the FDA granted Reporting System Database revealed 9 deaths in pediatric pa-
approval for the use of OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) for use in tients younger than 16 years of age, with cause of death listed as
adults with upper extremity spasticity due to stroke. Despite cardiorespiratory arrest (n 4), seizure (n 2), fatal arrhyth-
the absence of FDA approval in children, use of botulinum mia (n 1), pneumonia (n 1), and stroke (n 1). Dose
toxins is standard practice in the treatment of spasticity in ranges for serious systemic adverse reactions were reported for
children with CP [5]. Of interest, botulinum toxins have been Botox from 6.25 to 32 units/kg and for Myobloc from 388 to
approved for use in children with CP in Canada, Australia, 625 units/kg. It must be emphasized that all of the children who
and other countries. died reportedly had underlying neuromuscular problems. For
Many researchers have reported the efficacy of the botuli- privacy reasons, the complete details about the circumstances
num toxins over the past decade. Benefits have included a surrounding each of the deaths were not released; however,
decrease in spasticity and improvement in range of motion administration of at least one very high dose (32 units/kg) was
and function [6-12]. In 2000, a consensus statement was reported. This dose is well beyond what has been recommended
published by 15 experienced clinicians and scientists high- in the pediatric literature.
lighting patient selection, dosing guidelines, and injection Additional serious adverse events in pediatric patients
techniques for both upper and lower extremities in children were found in review of the medical literature and included
with CP [13]. The authors stressed the importance of select- systemic weakness requiring mechanical ventilation and se-
ing 1 or 2 muscle groups in the lower limbs and focusing on vere dysphagia requiring gastrostomy feeding [16-22]. Re-
treating dynamic tone in the upper limbs. In addition, the use view of adverse events in the adult population identified 225
of up to 12 units/kg up to a maximum dose of 300 units was case reports that were highly suggestive of distant spread of
recommended. To reduce the risk of secondary unrespon- botulinum toxin leading to recognizable signs and symptoms
siveness caused by the development of neutralizing antibod- of botulism. Doses in adult patients ranged from 100 to 700
ies, the consensus was to inject no more frequently than every units of Botox and 10,000 to 20,000 units of Myobloc.
3 months. Additional recommendations focused on the tar- In April 2009 the FDA issued a report on their review of their
geted dilution, which was a concentration of 100 units in 1 or investigation. The FDA obtained enough evidence that war-
2 mL of normal saline. A subsequent review article [14] in ranted a number of changes that would create an impact on the
which investigators summarized 22 articles published be- prescribing information [23]. The manufacturers of the 3 li-
tween 1993 and 2003 reported that the maximum total dose censed botulinum toxins had to strengthen the warnings in the
injected was 400 units with a maximum dose of 29 units/kg, product labeling and include a Boxed Warning highlighting
and concentrations varying from 50 to 500 units/mL, with the possibility of distant spread of the toxin, potentially
the most common being 100 units/mL. Both of these articles causing life-threatening events. They also had to implement a
described the potential for side effects related to spread of the risk evaluation and mitigation strategy that included a Med-
medication to distant sites. Injectors were implored to con- ication Guide to be provided to patients to help them under-
sider this spread of medication when selecting the appropri- stand the risks and benefits of the injections, as well as a
ate dose and concentration to be used. “Dear Health Care Professional” letter emphasizing the risks.
In January 2008, the consumer group Public Citizen Finally, the FDA required a change in the names of the 3
Health Research Group submitted a petition to the FDA botulinum toxins as a way to highlight the difference in
requesting the agency provide regulatory action regarding potency units of each of the products and remind physicians
the spread of botulinum toxin from the site that was inten- that they cannot compare or convert doses. The FDA an-
tionally injected to a distant site resulting in systemic signs of nounced the new names as OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox),
botulism [15]. This letter requested the FDA send a warning AbobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport), and RimabotulinumtoxinB
letter directly to physicians alerting them to the problems (Myobloc.) The FDA also urged physicians to be aware that
associated with the toxin, including cases of hospitalization children treated for spasticity are at greatest risk for the
and death. Additionally, the petition asked the FDA to label systemic symptoms. Toxin spread has occurred at doses used
the products with a “black box” warning, the strongest warning to treat cervical dystonia, and even at lower doses, swallow-
the agency can make, and require physicians to give patients a ing and breathing problems can be life-threatening. In addi-
medication guide warning them of possible symptoms of ad- tion, the FDA noted that no serious adverse events caused by
3. 284 Apkon and Cassidy SAFETY AND BOTULINUM TOXINS IN CHILDREN WITH CP
distant spread have been reported with dermatologic use or mittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the Practice Com-
for blepharospasm or strabismus at approved doses. Finally, mittee of the Child Neurology Society. Neurology;74:336-343.
6. Ade-Hall RA, Moore AP. Botulinum toxin type A in the treatment of
the FDA is recommending ongoing monitoring of relevant lower limb spasticity in cerebral palsy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev
safety data. 2000:CD001408.
7. Bjornson K, Hays R, Graubert C, et al. Botulinum toxin for spasticity in
children with cerebral palsy: A comprehensive evaluation. Pediatrics
RECOMMENDATIONS 2007;120:49-58.
8. Criswell SR, Crowner BE, Racette BA. The use of botulinum toxin
Use of off-label medications such as botulinum toxins in chil- therapy for lower-extremity spasticity in children with cerebral palsy.
dren with CP is very common. A recent report identified that Neurosurg Focus 2006;21:e1.
9. Koman LA, Mooney JF 3rd, Smith BP, Walker F, Leon JM. Botulinum toxin
62% of pediatric outpatient visits included off-label prescribing
type A neuromuscular blockade in the treatment of lower extremity spas-
[24]. There was a greater likelihood when a specialist was seeing ticity in cerebral palsy: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
the child, as is the case frequently in use of botulinum toxin. It is trial. BOTOX Study Group. J Pediatr Orthop 2000;20:108-115.
the authors’ recommendation that physicians caring for children 10. Lukban MB, Rosales RL, Dressler D. Effectiveness of botulinum toxin A
with CP heed the safety concerns that have been underscored for upper and lower limb spasticity in children with cerebral palsy: A
summary of evidence. J Neural Transm 2009;116:319-331.
through the original petition by the Public Citizen Health Re-
11. Sutherland DH, Kaufman KR, Wyatt MP, Chambers HG, Mubarak SJ.
search Group and the investigation by the FDA. Physicians must Double-blind study of botulinum A toxin injections into the gastrocnemius
discuss with families and patients the potential risk for distant muscle in patients with cerebral palsy. Gait Posture 1999;10:1-9.
spread of the toxin and balance this with the benefits that can be 12. Wasiak J, Hoare B, Wallen M. Botulinum toxin A as an adjunct to
achieved. Physicians should provide patients and families with treatment in the management of the upper limb in children with spastic
cerebral palsy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2004:CD003469.
the Medication Guide of the neurotoxin being injected. Physi-
13. Graham HK, Aoki KR, Autti-Ramo I, et al. Recommendations for the
cians need to be aware that because botulinum toxin is not use of botulinum toxin type A in the management of cerebral palsy. Gait
approved for treatment of spasticity or children younger than 12 Posture 2000;11:67-79.
years of age, there are no approved dosing guidelines. Therefore, 14. Kinnett D. Botulinum toxin A injections in children: Technique and
for safety reasons, the lowest dose necessary should be injected dosing issues. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2004;83:S59-S64.
15. Public Citizen. Petition to the FDA requesting regulatory action con-
and always determined on the basis of the child’s weight.
cerning the possible spread of botulinum toxin (Botox, Myobloc) from
The use of botulinum toxins in the treatment of children with the site of injection to other parts of the body (HRG Publication #1834).
CP does decrease spasticity and improve range of motion. De- 2008. Available at: http://www.citizen.org/publications/release.cfm?
spite the concern for distant spread, when used cautiously ID 7559. Accessed February 23, 2010.
botulinum toxins should be considered a generally safe and 16. Albavera-Hernandez C, Rodriguez JM, Idrovo AJ. Safety of botulinum
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palsy: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Clin Rehabil
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linum toxins and close follow-up completed after the injections 17. Crowner BE, Racette BA. Prospective study examining remote effects of
to insure that results are realized. This step allows for any botulinum toxin a in children with cerebral palsy. Pediatr Neurol
potential risk to be off-set by benefits to the child. Finally, it is 2008;39:253-258.
18. Willis AW, Crowner B, Brunstrom JE, Kissel A, Racette BA. High dose
imperative for those injecting these neurotoxins to participate in
botulinum toxin A for the treatment of lower extremity hypertonicity in
quality research to better understand safety and long-term effi- children with cerebral palsy. Dev Med Child Neurol 2007;49:818-822.
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Neuropharmacol 2007;30:310-313.
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