Botox can now be used by medickl spoecialists to treat urinary incontinence in adults with spinal cord injuries or multiple sclerosis.

Botulinum toxin type A (Botox) has been licensed by the Irish Medicines Board to treat urinary incontinence caused by a condition known as neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO), which is common in spinal injury patients and in those with MS.

This results in involuntary contractions of the bladder during the filling stage, when the bladder should be relaxed and this bladder overactivity can lead to incontinence, including involuntary urinary leaking.

The manufacturers, Allergan, say targeted injections of Botox into the bladder muscle has been shown to reduce involuntary bladder contractions and increase bladder capacity.

In Ireland, over 7,000 people live with MS and around 52 people suffer sub-cervical spinal cord injury per year. Up to 80% of people with these conditions suffer some degree of urinary incontinence.

Until now, Botox has been used for conditions such as muscle spasms in the face, and is also used for cosmetic purposes.

The manufacturers say Botox can only be administered by injection for urinary incontinence by a urologist.

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