Knowing that the drug was being used to help excessive perspiration caused by overactive sweat glands, Chancellor wondered whether Botox might help his patients suffering from an enlarged prostate, which also is a gland.

The results were promising: After one injection, 80 percent of patients were able to urinate normally. It appeared that Botox relaxed and shrunk the prostate, relieving pressure on the urethra.

"This could be a potential option for men who don't want surgery," said Chancellor, who presented his findings this week at the American Urological Association meeting in Atlanta.

Allergan, the company that makes Botox, also is conducting clinical trials for the drug's ability to treat enlarged prostates, not to mention headaches, poststroke muscle tightness, and overactive bladders.

"No other product has applications over such a wide range of medical conditions. It's like the penicillin of the 21st century," said Caroline Van Hove, Allergan's director of communications. "The demand for Botox has fueled funding for other medical uses. That is the beauty of this product."

Botox has its limitations. Some doctors feel that many conditions are complex and that Botox only solves part of the problem. It treats the symptoms but doesn't necessarily reverse them permanently. Botox for wrinkles must be re-injected every few months.

Also, according to Chancellor, the high cost and demand for cosmetic Botox has made it unsafe in some cases. In 2005, black-market Botox led to paralysis in some cosmetic patients.

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