Botox ... truth in advertising

A local news story in Jacksonville had good intentions, but it missed the point with its editing -- it made it sound like Botox was experimental for chronic migraine!

For those of you following our tweets, we first reported on the FDA approval of Botox for chronic migraine (15 or more headache days a month) a year ago.

So, let's set the record straight -- Botox is FDA approved for many things -- my comments on experimental treatments were after the reporter asked about future uses -- and I mentioned that it was being tested for baldness (alopecia areata). I didn't want everyone running to their doctors demanding Botox for something still in experimental phases -- but I made it clear that Botox is FDA approved for chronic migraines ... and more.

In fact, at the recent ECTRIMS (European Committee for the Treatment and Research in MS), I reported in real-time with Ashley from MS World about the various (FDA approved) uses for Botox relevant to MS: cervical dystonia, blepharospasm, chronic migraine, urinary bladder and more):

Among treatments for spasticity (Tai Chi, Yoga, Baclofen, Arbaclofen Intrathecal Baclfen pump, Botox):

So what can we learn from all this?

Be wary of the news that you here -- go straight to the source ... Neurologique, your source for neurological news that matters.

- Dr. Daniel Kantor, MD
Medical Director
Neurologique

info@neurologique.org
www.neurologique.org

Wow ... when enthusiasm is appropriate

Wow!


Enthusiasm is important, even (or especially) at international scientific meetings.

If you are following our (MSWorld and Neurologique) real-time videos from ECTRIMS (European Committee for the Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis) -- the biggest MS meeting of the year. On 10/21/2011, Prof. Ralf Gold presented data from the phase 3 DEFINE study (Determination of the Efficacy and safety of oral Fumarate IN rElapsing-remitting MS) and it was exciting.

While we still need to wait for the CONFIRM study (it compares placebo, two doses of oral BG-12 and subcutaneous Glatiramer Acetate/Copaxone) to ensure that oral BG-12 (dimethyl fumarate) is as exciting as it looks in DEFINE: safe, effective for MS relapses and disability, effective for MRI and mostly well tolerated.

At the end of the presentation by Prof. Ralf Gold, I said "I think that I speak for most people when I say wow." I then asked about pregnancies (no malformations) and 3 vs 6 month disability progression.


This has gotten me known as the "Wow Doctor" -- it has even been covered in the media by Medpage.

One day, I hope that I can say "wow" about many other new therapies.


- Dr. Daniel Kantor, MD
Medical Director
Neurologique

info@neurologique.org
www.neurologique.org