Botox and Dysport

Botox® and Dysport®:  Similarities and Differences

In this age of “beauty preservation”, many people are turning to their plastic surgeons for help.  One of their most common requests is for the plastic surgeon to help reduce or eliminate the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines in the facial region.  Wrinkles are a normal part of the aging process but can be exacerbated by other factors such as smoking, pollution, and sun exposure.  Fine lines, sometimes called “expression lines”, can also develop over time and are the cumulative effect of frequent facial expressions (i.e. smiling).  For a long time, Botox® injections were the primary therapeutic modality for wrinkles and fine lines.  With the Federal Drug Administration approval of Dysport® in April, 2009, plastic surgeons now have another option to offer their patients.  The narrative below describes the basic similarities and differences between Botox and Dysport.

Botox ®and Dysport® are the same in 3 basic ways.  First, they are derived from a botulinum protein type A.  This protein is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. In large doses, it can cause botulism, a serious illness often linked to food poisoning. For cosmetic purposes, a small diluted dose of the protein is used for controlling muscle contractions that are responsible for the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.  Second, they have been approved by the Federal Drug Administration specifically for treatment of facial wrinkles and/or fine lines.  Third, they are administered by injection at the primary wrinkle and/or line sight.

The major differences between Botox® and Dysport® are related to price, onset of action, and dosing.  Plastic surgeons can get Dysport® at a lower price than Botox® and are able to pass these savings on to patients.  Relative to onset of action, Dysport® appears to work quicker.  In addition, the ratio of required Dysport ® units to Botox® units is approximately 2.5:1 and 3:1 and is dependent on thickness of patients’ facial muscles.  With respect to longevity of action of both agents, the results are pretty inconsistent.  It appears that some patients get longer lasting effects with Botox ®while others get it with Dysport®.  Currently, it is not clear what factors (i.e. Botox® or Disport ®or patient characteristics) determine these differences.

In sum, Botox® and Dysport® are the two primary treatment modalities for the treatment of wrinkles and fine lines in the United States.  Since neither agent offers a permanent solution and are similar in action, patients have the ability to try both and determine the best option.

Dysport® is a registered trademark of Ipsen Limited

Botox® is a registered trademark of Allergan, Inc.