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| |  New Clinical Study Proves That Botox Therapy Effectively Reduces Excessive Sweating And Improves Quality Of Life Practicality, Not Vanity, Drives Patients To Seek Treatment TORONTO, ON -- June 21, 2002 -- As the first day of summer arrives, sweating becomes more of an issue for most people. Antiperspirants and deodorants seem to be the usual solution and most people's worries are over! However, for millions of people around the world, including approximately 300,000 Canadians, excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, is a problem all year long. According to a new Canadian clinical study published this month in Dermatologic Surgery by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Botox® injections have been proven to safely and effectively treat and reduce excessive or uncontrollable sweating - a chronic disorder known as hyperhidrosis. This condition can affect various parts of the body, including the underarms, hands, feet, and even the face. Approved in Canada in 2001 for the treatment of excessive underarm sweating (axillary hyperhidrosis), Botox therapy is administered via tiny injections within the skin of the affected area to block the release of the chemical that signals the perspiration. The study indicated that excessive sweating currently affects about one per cent of the world's population. Conducted by Dr. Nowell Solish and Dr. Stephen R. Tan of the Department of Dermatology, University of Toronto, the study also found that Botox can dramatically improve the quality of life for patients suffering from the excessive sweating. Although high temperatures or stress can increase perspiration, they do not cause this excessive sweating disorder. Instead, hyperhidrosis is a physical condition without a known cause and may be an inherited trait that stops the body from properly regulating its sweat output. This condition can cause significant problems in a patient's emotional, social and professional life. Patients who participated in the study noted that they had to wear black clothes so that sweat stains were not noticeable. Several people also said that they had previously dressed lightly, even in cold weather, in the hope that this would help to decrease sweating of the underarms. Patients who had excessive sweating felt very uncomfortable in social situations. And one patient even said that she had been on the verge of suicide as the excessive sweating had completely disrupted her life. According to Dr. Nowell Solish, Dermatologist, Sunnybrook and Women's Health Science Centre, who conducted the Canadian study, excessive sweating is an under-recognized problem and has often not been treated properly. "A lot of people suffering from this disorder are too embarrassed to consult their doctors. Other times, patients have been sent to the wrong healthcare professionals - for example, psychiatrists - for treatment," he said. "Although this is not a life-threatening disease, it is a physical condition that can cause great personal anguish, and if left untreated, can have a detrimental impact on the emotional well-being of patients." Dr. Solish pointed out that for those suffering from hyperhidrosis, Botox treatments give them new hope where previous therapies have failed before. "After they have been treated the first time, my patients have a desire to be re-injected as soon as the effect begins to wear off, because they have seen how good the results are and how simple and safe the procedure is," he said. "My patients now have the peace of mind to resume their normal professional and social activities. They no longer have to dress lightly all the time, and have noticed improvements when they have to meet people." Botox treatments for excessive sweating last for approximately six to eight months and achieve high patient satisfaction. According to the study, the average maximal effect for the underarm treatments was approximately 80 per cent. The effect was reached between two weeks and three months and lasted for almost six months before a repeat treatment was required. According to a renowned hair stylist who is a patient of Dr. Solish, receiving Botox injections is the best thing he could ever have done for himself. "When I cut people's hair, my armpits are around their faces all day long. I can't afford to have wet armpits when I'm working - it's disgusting! Thanks to Botox therapy, I'm dry all the time and I can feel confident when I'm with a customer." Another female patient has suffered from excessive sweating for seven years before learning about the Botox treatment. "As a result of my sweating, I have ditched dates without explanation and sat through meetings, arms folded across my chest, unable to speak for fear raising a hand could reveal my problem," she said. She finally tried the Botox injections when she was invited to be a bridesmaid for one of her friends. Only days before the wedding, the doctor took 20 minutes to make needle pricks under each arm. "I love the dry life now. It's been seven months since my injections, and I'm ready for my next dose." In addition to treating hyperhidrosis, Botox therapy is currently approved in Canada for the treatment of involuntary head rotation caused by muscle spasm (cervical dystonia), uncontrollable blinking (blepharospasm), crossed eyes (strabismus), deformity associated with juvenile cerebral palsy (equinus foot), and focal spasticity, such as those associated with stroke in adults. Botox Cosmetic(TM) is approved for the treatment of brow furrow (glabellar lines). About Allergan, Inc. Botox is produced and distributed by Allergan, Inc. Allergan, with headquarters in Irvine, California, is a technology-driven, global health care company providing eye care and specialty pharmaceutical products worldwide. Allergan develops and commercializes products in the eye care, neuromuscular and skin care markets that deliver value to its customers, satisfy unmet medical needs, and improve patients' lives. Allergan is a public company and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AGN. Allergan Canada, based in Markham, Ontario, has representatives serving health care and retail customers across the country. (*)Copies of the clinical study are available upon request Forward-Looking Statements SOURCE: Allergan, Inc.
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