Plain-English explanations of the technical terms and legislation used in this document.
- 0.9% sodium chloride for injection
- A sterile salt-water solution used as the diluent to dissolve the freeze-dried toxin before injection.
- Acetylcholine
- A natural chemical messenger that nerves release to make a muscle contract; botulinum toxin works by blocking its release.
- Adverse drug reaction
- An unwanted or harmful response to a medicine given at a normal dose.
- Anaphylaxis
- A severe, life-threatening allergic reaction needing immediate emergency treatment.
- Aseptic non-touch technique (ANTT)
- A careful method of preparing and giving an injection that keeps the key parts and the injection site free from contamination.
- Batch (lot) number
- A code identifying the specific production run of a product, used to trace it if a problem arises.
- Botulinum toxin type A
- A prescription-only medicine that temporarily relaxes muscles and is used in aesthetics to soften facial lines.
- Botulinum Toxin and Cosmetic Fillers (Children) Act 2021
- The law making it a criminal offence to give botulinum toxin or cosmetic fillers to under-18s for cosmetic purposes in England.
- Care Quality Commission (CQC)
- The independent regulator of health and social care services in England.
- Chairside workflow
- The set of steps a clinician follows at the patient's side during a treatment.
- Cold chain
- Keeping vaccines and certain medicines within a safe temperature range from delivery to use.
- Contraindication
- A reason why a treatment should not be given to a particular person because it could cause harm.
- Diluent
- The sterile liquid mixed with a freeze-dried medicine to turn it into a solution that can be injected.
- Excipient
- An inactive ingredient in a medicine, such as a stabiliser, that someone could still be allergic to.
- Haemostasis
- Stopping or controlling bleeding, for example by pressing gauze on the injection site.
- Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014
- The regulations setting the fundamental standards of safety and quality that registered care providers must meet, enforced by the Care Quality Commission.
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012
- The main law in the United Kingdom controlling how medicines are made, supplied, prescribed and administered.
- Indication
- The medical or treatment reason for which a medicine is given.
- Infection prevention and control (IPC)
- The measures used to stop infection spreading between patients, staff and visitors.
- Informed consent
- Agreement to treatment given freely after the risks, benefits and alternatives have been clearly explained.
- Lyophilised (freeze-dried)
- Dried into a stable powder by freezing and removing water, which must be reconstituted with liquid before use.
- Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
- The United Kingdom body that regulates medicines and medical devices and runs the Yellow Card reporting scheme.
- Neuromuscular blocking agent
- A medicine that reduces or blocks signals between nerves and muscles and can strengthen the effect of botulinum toxin.
- Neuromuscular disorder
- A condition affecting the nerves that control muscles (for example myasthenia gravis), which can make botulinum toxin unsafe.
- Neuromuscular junction
- The point where a nerve meets a muscle and passes on the signal to contract.
- Patient Group Direction (PGD)
- A written instruction letting named staff supply or give a medicine to a group of patients without an individual prescription; it cannot be used for botulinum toxin in aesthetics.
- Patient-specific prescription
- A prescription written by a prescriber for one named patient who has been individually assessed.
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Items such as gloves, aprons and masks worn to protect against harm or infection.
- Potentiate
- To make the effect of a medicine stronger, for example when another drug increases the action of the toxin.
- Prescriber (independent or supplementary)
- A qualified professional legally allowed to prescribe medicines; a supplementary prescriber works to an agreed plan set with a doctor.
- Prescription-only medicine (POM)
- A medicine that may lawfully be supplied or given only on the instruction of an appropriate prescriber.
- Ptosis
- Drooping of an eyelid or brow, which can occur temporarily as a side effect of treatment.
- Reconstitution
- Mixing a freeze-dried medicine with a sterile liquid to make a solution of a known strength ready for injection.
- Registered Manager
- The person registered with the regulator as responsible for the day-to-day running of a service.
- Regulated activity
- A type of care or treatment the law requires a provider to register with the regulator to deliver.
- Sharps
- Needles, blades and other items that can cut or puncture the skin.
- Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
- A document setting out the agreed step-by-step way a particular task must be carried out.
- Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)
- The manufacturer's licensed document setting out a product's dose, mixing, storage and safety information.
- Yellow Card scheme
- The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency system for reporting suspected side effects of medicines and faults with products.