Botox Vs Dysport

Botox may soon have a new rival in Dysport. Both Botox and Dysport are commercial brand names of Botulinum, a toxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. Botulinum is a highly toxic protein, but it is used in minute doses to treat muscle spasms.
Right now Botox is the only FDA approved botulinum toxin used for cosmetic purposes. But it may lose it market monopoly as Dysport, a potential competitor, has filed an FDA approval application.

A randomized parallel group study of the effectiveness of Dysport and Botox was recently held. In the study Dysport and Botox were used for the treatment of glabellar rhytids in 62 patients. The findings of the study significantly favor the use of Botox over Dysport. The patients who were part of the study received either 20 total units of Botox or 50 total units of Dysport in their corrugator and procerus muscles. After treatment they underwent blinded assessments at maximal frown at 2, 8, 12 and 16 weeks.

Of the 62 patients, 59 completed the study. 3 patients dropped out but that was not due to side effects or lack of efficacy. The findings revealed that efficacy of the treatment peaked at 8 weeks. By 12 weeks patients who received Botox started showing greater residual effects. By 16 weeks the two groups started showing statistically significant differences in the efficacy of the treatment with patients who received Botox showing consistently higher levels of satisfaction.

The authors of the study noticed that on a four-point wrinkle-severity scale, a one-point or better improvement occurred in 53% of Botox recipients whereas the same effect was seen in only 28% of Dysport recipients. At week 16, 23% of Botox patients and 40% of Dysport patients had recurrence of rhytids. Other than infrequent bruising and one small lump, there were no significant side effects.

The bottom line

The studies have revealed that when used at a 2.5:1.0 Dysport: Botox ratio, Botox is more effective in treating wrinkles. A previous study cited by the authors revealed that a 4:1 Dysport: Botox ratio produced equivalent results. On the flipside, patients who received Dysport had a significantly higher risk for adverse effects. A comparison of these two studies suggest that the optimal conversion ratio will be somewhere in between. Clearly widespread adoption of Dysport will not occur until the cost difference between the two starts significantly favoring Dysport.

In the U.K. , where both products are approved, the cost of a 100-U vial of Botox is about $250, and the cost of a 500-U vial of Dysport is about $300. When Dysport receives FDA approval, its price in the US may be on a par with the UK price.

Dysport or Botox

For the past 7 years, BOTOX® (known as botulinum toxin type A, Allergan, Inc.) has been the only choice for injectable wrinkle treatment of frown lines around the eyes and forehead. That changed last month when FDA approved the usage of Dysport® (known as botulinum toxin type A-hemagglutinin complex, Medicis).

Dysport is better?

There have been mixed reports on the clinical response to Dysport® vs. BOTOX®. It seems that Dysport® has about one-third the potency of BOTOX®. This means that it requires more to be injected to the site of action. However, many practitioners reported that when using a similar concentration of Dysport®, there is a longer duration of action. Some clinicians also have noticed that Dysport® could last up to 1 month longer than BOTOX®.

Dysport Vs. Botox Price War?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Dysport in May. Industry experts say there is already a foreseeable side effect for consumers. It will be a little more cost effective than Botox. We will be seeing a price war between Botox and Dysport. But this will mean that the wrinkle treatment by the shot will be available to more people who want to try it.

What is Dysport?

Dysport could be a new wrinkle remover on the U.S. market. Similar to Botox, it's an injectable drug derived from a botulinum toxin. Dysport has been sold in Europe for some time. The price is cheaper than Botox.

Dysport is a new wrinkle treatment method. It is very simple, effective, and non-surgical treatment, just like Botox. It works by relaxing facial muscles on the forehead. It reduces and makes the wrinkles disappear! Dysport has been used for years, by eye specialists and neurologists, to treat nervous tics and muscle spasms of the face and neck. It is supported by clinical experiences, mainly developed in the United Kingdom in the early 90's. Thousands of treatments have been safely and effectively performed in Europe.