clostridium botulinum type a toxin-haemagglutinin complex at a glance
Medicine class
Peripherally acting muscle relaxant and botulinum toxin type A.
Administration
Injected into the relevant muscle, around the eye, into underarm skin or into the bladder wall by an appropriately qualified practitioner.
Important distinction
Its units are product-specific and cannot be substituted unit-for-unit with another botulinum toxin preparation.
What is clostridium botulinum type a toxin-haemagglutinin complex used for?
The selected product is licensed for:
Focal upper- or lower-limb spasticity in adults, with the lower-limb indication affecting the ankle joint.
Upper-limb spasticity and dynamic equinus foot deformity in children aged two years or older with cerebral palsy.
Spasmodic torticollis, blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm in adults.
Severe primary underarm hyperhidrosis in adults when topical treatment has not worked.
Urinary incontinence caused by neurogenic detrusor overactivity in adults with spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis who regularly perform clean intermittent catheterisation.
How does clostridium botulinum type a toxin-haemagglutinin complex work?
The toxin enters cholinergic nerve endings and inhibits acetylcholine release. This temporarily reduces signalling to the injected muscle or gland; in the bladder, it reduces overactive detrusor signalling and may affect sensory pathways. Function returns gradually as nerve connections recover.
clostridium botulinum type a toxin-haemagglutinin complex preparations and strengths
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 300 units, 500 units
How to take clostridium botulinum type a toxin-haemagglutinin complex
This treatment is not self-administered. A practitioner with relevant expertise prepares the powder and injects it into accurately selected sites. Ultrasound, electrical stimulation or electromyography may guide muscle treatment. Beforehand, tell the team about infection, swallowing or breathing problems, neuromuscular disease, pregnancy, previous botulinum toxin reactions and all medicines—particularly antibiotics, muscle relaxants and anticoagulants.
Food does not directly affect treatment, but follow clinic instructions if sedation or anaesthesia is planned.
Do not drive or operate machinery if treatment causes muscle weakness or visual disturbance.
clostridium botulinum type a toxin-haemagglutinin complex side effects
Common or expected effects
- Injection-site pain, bruising, itching or swelling.
- Tiredness, weakness or flu-like symptoms.
- Temporary weakness, discomfort or altered function near the injected muscles.
- Site-dependent effects, including dry mouth or swallowing difficulty after neck treatment; eyelid drooping or visual symptoms after eye-area treatment; and urinary infection, constipation or blood in the urine after bladder treatment.
- Increased sweating elsewhere after treatment for underarm hyperhidrosis.
Get urgent medical advice
- Difficulty breathing, swallowing or speaking, choking, aspiration or widespread weakness suggesting distant toxin spread.
- Severe allergic reaction, including swelling, wheezing or collapse.
- Marked eye pain or visual change associated with dry-eye or corneal complications after eye-area treatment.
- Symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia after bladder treatment, requiring prompt assessment.
clostridium botulinum type a toxin-haemagglutinin complex in pregnancy
Pregnancy data are limited. Product information advises use only when the expected medical benefit justifies potential fetal risk, following specialist discussion. Medically necessary treatment may be considered individually, while cosmetic treatment should be avoided as a precaution.
clostridium botulinum type a toxin-haemagglutinin complex while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether the toxin passes into human milk, and product information does not recommend its use during breastfeeding. Discuss the clinical need and alternatives with the specialist and infant-feeding team before treatment.
clostridium botulinum type a toxin-haemagglutinin complex interactions
Medicines affecting nerves, muscles or procedural bleeding require particular review.
Aminoglycoside antibiotics, such as gentamicin, tobramycin or amikacin
They can enhance interference with neuromuscular transmission and increase unwanted muscle weakness.
Non-depolarising neuromuscular blockers
The neuromuscular-blocking effect may increase, so anaesthetic and treating teams need to know about recent treatment.
Muscle relaxants
Combined effects may cause excessive or more widespread weakness.
Common questions about clostridium botulinum type a toxin-haemagglutinin complex
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is Dysport interchangeable with Botox or another botulinum toxin product?
No. Their biological units and preparations differ and must not be converted unit-for-unit.
Who can administer it?
An appropriately qualified healthcare practitioner with expertise in the condition and injection technique.
Can it be used in someone with myasthenia gravis?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.