Dysport vs Botox: Key Differences and Effectiveness
Dysport and Botox Cosmetic are both used as cosmetic anti-aging treatments. But what are the key differences between these botulinum toxin type A injections?
Botox Cosmetic contains onabotulinumtoxinA (ONA), while Dysport contains abobotulinumtoxinA (ABO) - both are botulinum toxin type A formulations. Botox received FDA approval back in 1991, with Dysport following in 2009.
Both treatments block nerve signals to facial muscles, though their different manufacturing processes and resulting non-toxic protein content create variations in potency, onset time, and duration.
Main differences between Botox and Dysport injections
- Clinical studies consistently use a 2.5:1 dosage ratio - meaning 25 Dysport units roughly equal 10 Botox units.
- Research suggests Dysport may work faster and last longer than Botox. Some patients report less injection pain with Dysport, though these findings require careful interpretation since Dysport's manufacturer sponsored several studies.
- Both injectable treatments have FDA approval for cosmetic use, cervical dystonia, and spasticity in adults and children over 2. Botox therapeutic has additional approvals for chronic migraine, excessive sweating, bladder dysfunction, urinary incontinence from neurological conditions, blepharospasm, and strabismus.
- The manufacturing differences between these botulinum toxins create distinct nontoxic protein profiles, resulting in similarities alongside notable differences.
Dosage differences: Dysport vs Botox units
Dosages are never interchangeable between Botox and Dysport - each has specific requirements.
- Botox Cosmetic comes in single-use vials with 50 or 100 ONA units. After dilution with sodium chloride, each vial treats one patient only. The maximum cumulative dose shouldn't exceed 360 units within three months.
- Multi-use Botox vials (for non-cosmetic indications) contain 100 or 200 ONA units, diluted with 0.9% sodium chloride for predetermined dosing. Leftover solution stays refrigerated but must be discarded within 24 hours.
- Dysport vials hold 300 or 500 ABO units requiring dilution before use. It's single-use only (one session per patient), with reconstituted solution refrigerated and discarded after 24 hours if unused.
- Botulinum toxin potency units are preparation-specific and tied to particular assay methods. 50 Botox units never equals 50 Dysport units. Always follow indication-specific dosing recommendations, starting with the lowest recommended dose for first-time users.
Related questions
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Dysport vs Botox effectiveness comparison
Studies comparing these treatments show conflicting results.
- One Dysport manufacturer-sponsored trial found Dysport lasted longer than Botox for severe frontalis lines (horizontal forehead wrinkles), using the standard 2.5:1 unit ratio.
- Another study found no duration differences but showed complete efficacy was more likely with Dysport (90% vs 75%).
- A third trial demonstrated Dysport worked quicker with significantly less injection pain than Botox. These manufacturer-sponsored results need cautious interpretation.
FDA-approved uses: Botox vs Dysport
Botox has broader FDA approval than Dysport.
- Botox Cosmetic treats moderate to severe frown lines and crow's feet in adults over 18.
- Botox Therapeutic (standard Botox) addresses overactive bladder, neurological urinary incontinence (from spinal cord injury or Multiple Sclerosis), chronic migraine (≥15 monthly days with 4+ hour duration), adult spasticity, pediatric spasticity (ages 2+), primary axillary hyperhidrosis, blepharospasm, strabismus, and cervical dystonia.
- Dysport treats glabellar lines, cervical dystonia, adult spasticity, and pediatric spasticity (ages 2+).
References
- Botox Cosmetic. Drugs.com https://www.drugs.com/botox-cosmetic.html
- Botox. Drugs.com https://www.drugs.com/botox.html
- Dysport. Drugs.com https://www.drugs.com/dysport.html
- Nestor MS, Ablon GR. Comparing the clinical attributes of abobotulinumtoxinA and onabotulinumtoxinA utilizing a novel contralateral Frontalis model and the Frontalis Activity Measurement Standard. J Drugs Dermatol. 2011 Oct;10(10):1148-57
- Nestor MS, Ablon GR. Duration of Action of AbobotulinumtoxinA and OnabotulinumtoxinA: A Randomized, Double-blind Study Using a Contralateral Frontalis Model. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. 2011;4(9):43-49
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Where do they inject Botox for migraines?
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