Efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin in the management of overactive bladder
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63688/tzftpn36Keywords:
overactive bladder, botulinum toxin, safetyAbstract
Introduction: Overactive bladder is a storage syndrome mainly characterized by urinary urgency, with or without urgency urinary incontinence, and frequently associated with increased urinary frequency and nocturia. Because of its impact on quality of life and inadequate response or intolerance to conventional treatments, botulinum toxin type A represents a minimally invasive therapeutic alternative.
Objective: To review the available scientific evidence on the efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin type A in the management of overactive bladder.
Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted. The search was performed on March 25, 2026, in PubMed, Scopus, SciELO, and Google Scholar, using Spanish and English descriptors derived from MeSH and DeCS, combined using Boolean operators. Articles published between January 2021 and March 2026, available in full text, in Spanish or English, and directly related to the topic were included. Systematic reviews, meta-analyses, clinical trials, observational studies, and clinical practice guidelines were prioritized. The selected studies underwent systematic data extraction and descriptive, critical, and comparative analysis.
Results: The evidence showed reductions in urinary urgency, frequency, nocturia, and urgency urinary incontinence, as well as improvements in some quality-of-life indicators. The response and duration of the effect varied according to the population, etiology, dose, and administration technique. The main adverse events were urinary tract infection, hematuria, and urinary retention.
Conclusions: Botulinum toxin type A represents a useful therapeutic option in selected patients; however, comparative studies and long-term follow-up are needed to further determine its balance between efficacy and safety.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Juan José Vélez Parra, Andrés Roberto García Chavarria, Millie Tiffani León Jiménez, Geneva Madeleine Schissel Paladines, Evelyn Yuliana Lara Llanos (Autor/a)
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