Authors' recommendations: There is some good quality evidence that BTX-A injections using either Botox or Dysport into the detrusor muscle is a promising alternative to surgery for treating urinary incontinence in adults with neurogenic or idiopathic detrusor overactivity when antimuscarinic medications fail or are intolerable. In both conditions, the duration of effect seems to be at least six months, and overall success rates seem to be similar in both patient populations. Treatment with BTX-A seems to be well tolerated with minimal injection site reactions and no systemic adverse effects. However, optimal dosing for BTX-A is unclear and long-term follow-up studies are needed to evaluate Botulinum Toxin A for complications and long-term clinical effectiveness. There is good quality evidence to support the clinical effectiveness and safety of BTX-A for the management of pelvic pain associated with vulvodynia or interstitial cystitis in women. There is limited evidence from observational studies that BTX-A may be clinically effective for relieving vulvar pain with no significant adverse effects. There is no evidence to support the use of BTX-A for the management of pelvic pain following motor vehicle accidents. Overall, authors of the included studies state that before BTX-A can be routinely prescribed as treatment for the management urinary incontinence and pelvic pain related to vulvodynia and interstitial cystitis.

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.cadth.ca/media/pdf/L0095_Botox_for_Pelvic_Pain_final.pdf

Year Published: 2009

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Canada

Organisation Name: Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health

Contact Address: 600-865 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1S 5S8 Canada. Tel: +1 613 226 2553; Fax: +1 613 226 5392;

Contact Name: requests@cadth.ca

Contact Email: requests@cadth.ca

Copyright: Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH)