Dysport

Dysport ®:  The New “Botox®"

   
Finally there is an alternative to Botox®! The alternative is called Dysport®, but also has been known as Reloxin.  Now, the name Reloxin has been dropped and Dysport® is the United States Product.

Dysport® is a product of the Medicis company. This is the company that brought us Restylane® and Perlane® fillers, so they are very familiar with the dermatologic aesthetics market. Dysport® is a botulinum toxin powder just like Botox®.  It is approved in many countries, just like Botox®.

The question you might wonder about is what significant clinical difference is there between the two botulinum toxin cosmetic products? Quite frankly, the differences appear to be minimal.  Dysport® does appear to begin more quickly than Botox® and may even last longer than Botox®.  On the negative side, Dysport® may diffuse more than Botox® and this may lead to some undesireable effects, but careful injection should minimize this risk.

The side effects appear to be identical and Dysport® carries the same black box warning as does Botox®.  You should be aware that Dysport® is not identical is the strength of the units (as compared to Botox®, so if you received 20 units of Botox®, you would NOT receive 20 units of Dysport®.

The price of Dysport® is a bit less than Botox® but once you account for the difference in the strengths, the price adjusts to more or less the same. I do suspect however, that both products will have price adjustments given the competition of two products that will now exist.

So, there we have it: a new product that will hopefully provide competition in the price, but the marketing Buzz that will inevitably occur may not really provide for a great deal of clinical difference. You can try it and see if you think it works better for you!

Contact Dr Sandy Martin at the prestigious Center for Dermatology and Skin Surgery: (813) 977-3600