Botox vs. Dysport

Now that Dysport has been on the US market for a bit more than a month, it's possible to make some preliminary comparisons. In general the products are very similar. We have used Dysport in a number of patients who previously had Botox. No one has had any complaints. In many patients the onset of effect is more rapid with Dysport, usually within a few days. The pre-marketing studies show that Dysport has the same potential side effects as Botox (mostly headache, lid droop and brow droop), and they occur with about the same frequency. In about 1/3 of Dysport patients, the effect seems to last longer than Botox, often by a month or two. That appears to have been seen in Europe too, where the average Botox patient comes in three times a year while the Dysport patient comes in twice yearly. Dysport has been available in Europe since 1991.

It's important for physicians to be aware that the units of Botox and Dysport are not equivalent. One unit of Botox equals 2.5-3 units of Dysport. Unfortunately Medicis priced Dysport very close to the price of Botox, so there is no cost savings to the patient in using Dysport. Nevertheless, the presence of Dysport on the market will almost certainly put a stop to the annual price increases that were routine with Botox.

Gerald N. Bock MD
California Skin & Laser Center
Stockton & Lodi, CA

Comments

[Dallas Cosmetic Surgeon]

It's nice to see Dysport step into the mix and give Botox a competitor and the patients a choice. Having said that, it will be up to each patient to decide on what product will work best for the individual.