Botulinum Neurotoxin Uses in Overactive Bladder

Abstract

Botulinum neurotoxin has been approved for use in different urologic disorders, especially overactive bladder (OAB). OAB is highly prevalent, with a relevant impact on patients’ quality of life and the available health resources. The prevalence of OAB is 11.8% with no significant difference between male and female. Botulinum neurotoxin is now approved as a treatment of choice for refractory overactive bladder (ROAB) after the failure of behavioral and pharmacological therapy. It is associated with improvement of urgency and urge urinary incontinence in 60–70% of patients. Yet the effect is not long-standing and fades out in a mean of 6-months duration and repeated injection is warranted. Moreover, its associated side effects are not uncommon, especially urinary tract infection and urine retention. New modifications have been studied to make it less invasive, effective, and tolerable by the patients through injection-free mode. The subject to be explained in the book chapter is the role of botulinum neurotoxin in ROAB, including the mechanism of action, different types of botulinum toxin used, the accepted dose, associated side effects, and comparison of the outcome to other available treatment modalities. In addition, a close look at the new accepted approaches for intravesical administration of botulinum toxin in the bladder will be done.