People who have problems with bladder control, arising from spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis (MS), may now receive Botox injections to treat bladder urgency as approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
An overactive or leaky bladder is caused by uncontrollable contractions of the bladder. This can cause frequent urination, urgent need to urinate and inability to control urination.
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The Botox injection actually treats the problem by relaxing the bladder muscles and allowing more space for urine storage. The effects of the injection could last nearly nine months.
About 60 to 80 percent of Spinal cord injury patients experience some type of bladder problem.
"This approval of Botox is an important milestone in Allergan's commitment to develop and make available novel treatment options for urologists and their patients," Scott Whitcup, Allergan's chief scientific officer and executive vice president for research and development, said in a statement.
Allergan is also working to gain approval to market Botox as a treatment for idiopathic overactive bladder. This is a more common condition among patients with bladder control problems.
"This approval is positive as it may bode well for the eventual approval of Botox in idiopathic overactive bladder," Seamus Fernandez, an analyst at Leerink Swann & Co., pointed out in a research note.
The sales may reach $40 million in 2017, as predicted, due to the amount of patients with spinal cord injuries. Next year, the company plans to seek FDA clearance for the other bladder condition.
Spinal Cord Injury Statistics
Automobile accidents cause 42.1 % of spinal cord injuries. More than 11,000 people suffer a spinal cord injury each year in the United States, while some victims will experience a full recovery, others will be completely and permanently paralyzed.
Car accidents are also frequently the cause of other serious back injuries such as a herniated disc. In both cases the accident victim may require surgery, years of treatment and physical therapy, and the injuries can completely change the life of the victim.
Long-Term Implications Of Spinal Cord Injuries
Paraplegia is an impairment in motor or sensory function of the lower extremities (legs). It is typically the result of spinal cord injury. The area of the spinal canal which is affected in paraplegia is either the thoracic, lumbar, or sacral regions. If both arms are also affected by paralysis, quadriplegia is the proper terminology.
Davis Law Group offers free legal consultations to injury victims and their families. We can help you determine if you need the assistance of a spinal cord injury attorney, or if you may be able to negotiate a fair settlement on your own without having to pay for a lawyer.
If you or a loved one has suffered from a spinal cord injury and you are looking for answers about how to find the right personal injury lawyer for your case, call our office in Seattle at (206) 727-4000 to request a free legal consultation with our attorneys.
