Clinical efficacy of Neuronox botulinum toxin treatment in hemifacial spasm patients

摘要

Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is a disease causing abnormal movement of the face. Treatment with a botulinum toxin injection is effective. Original botulinum toxin is expensive, particularly in developing countries. We evaluated clinical efficacy and safety of generic botulinum toxin in HFS patients. A 16-week, open labeled, prospective study to evaluate Neuronox??treatment at HFS clinic, Khon Kaen University hospital, Thailand was carried out. Peak improvement (PI), time to PI (TPI), and duration of response period (D) were reported by patients every 4 weeks. In total, 50 HFS patients participated in the study; 30 new and 20 previously diagnosed patients. Two patients did not response to Neuronox??treatment; one in each group. For those who responded to Neuronox??treatment, the mean PI, TPI, and D was 73.44%, 9.44 weeks, and 15 weeks, respectively. The PI, TPI, and D were not statistically different between new and previously diagnosed patients. Ptosis and facial paresis were the common side effects and mostly occurred in the first 4 weeks. Treatment of HFS by generic Neuronox??botulinum toxin is an effective alternative treatment with similar rate of side effects to original botulinum toxin. It may be preferable in countries with limited healthcare resources.