Forget wrinkles. Botox could bring temporary relief for those who struggle with drooling, a new study suggests.

Researches gave injections of botulinum toxin, which goes by the brand name Botox, to 131 people with cerebral palsy or other neurological disorders who experienced moderate to severe drooling. The drug was placed in the submandibular glands, which produce most saliva.

After two months, nearly half of participants experienced a decrease in drooling, researchers report in the September issue of the Archives of Otolaryngology — Head & Neck Surgery, a journal from the American Medical Association.

On average, drooling decreased by nearly 50 percent when participants were assessed two months after receiving the injection. After eight months, drooling had gone back up slightly, but was not nearly at the level seen before participants received Botox. While benefits further waned over time, some participants continued to see benefits from Botox a year later.

“Our results provide further support for the clinical efficacy of botulinum toxin for drooling,” the researchers write. “Although the 46.6 percent success rate might appear low, its safety and efficacy make botulinum toxin a useful first-line invasive treatment if conservative measures have failed.”

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