DYSPORT ®

What is Dysport ?
Dysport is the latest neuromuscular blocking agent available. The generic name of the medication is abobotulinumtoxinA. Dysport is a direct competitor to botulinum toxin type A, trade name Botox(r). While there are technical differences between the two medications, the base content of both is botulinum toxin type A which causes paralysis of muscles by blocking the transmission of the chemical agent acetylcholine which tells muscles when to move. By paralyzing certain muslces of the face, the overlying skin wrinkles can be relaxed and wrinles produced with muscle motion will be reduced.

Dysport was approved for use in the United States in 2009 though it has been in use in other countries for several years. Dysport is approved for cosmetic use to treat the lines between the brows, the glabellar furrows. It is supplied as either a 300 unit or 500 unit vial and requires reconstitution. The doseage of Dysport is different from the dosing for Botox. The suggested starting dose for treatment of glabellar furrows with Dysport is 50 units as opposed to 20 units for Botox.

Botox vs Dysport
Both Dysport and Botox have the same active molecule, which is the toxin that causes botulism (in dramatically higher doses.) It is a protein that is encased in other non-toxin proteins, so the difference is that Dysport has fewer of these so it is a smaller molecule. What this means in practice is that it spreads a little bit more and may take effect about a day sooner. In some areas, there is a softer transition from the affected area to the unaffected area, for a “softer” look. They both last the same amount of time.

DYSPORT™ is an acetylcholine release inhibitor and a neuromuscular

blocking agent indicated for the treatment of adults with cervical dystonia to reduce the severity of abnormal head position and neck pain in both toxin-naïve and previously treated patients.
DYSPORT™ Important Safety Information
Distant Spread of Toxin Effect
The effects of DYSPORT™ and all botulinum toxin products may spread from the area of injection to produce symptoms consistent with botulinum toxin effects. These symptoms have been reported hours to weeks after injection. Swallowing and breathing difficulties can be life threatening, and there have been reports of death. The risk of symptoms is probably greatest in children treated for spasticity, but symptoms can also occur in adults, particularly in those patients who have underlying conditions that would predispose them to these symptoms.

Immediate medical attention may be required in cases of respiratory, speech or swallowing difficulties.

The dosing units of DYSPORT™ are not the same as other botulinum toxin products and therefore are not interchangeable with other preparations of botulinum toxin products.

DYSPORT™ should be administered in accordance with the labeling instructions, and the recommended dosage and frequency of administration should not be exceeded.

Patients with a neuromuscular disorder of the nerve-muscle junction may be at increased risk of side effects.

Caution should be exercised when administering DYSPORT™ to patients who have surgical changes to their faces, drooping eyelid folds, deep facial scars, or thick oily skin.