Dysport (abobotulinumtoxinA) is a botulinum toxin type A, the same family as Botox, made by a different manufacturer. Shield Dental Care in Burke, VA carries Dysport alongside BOTOX® Cosmetic and Daxxify, so we can choose the product that fits the area being treated and your own preference. This page covers what is different about Dysport. Our Botox overview covers what all three have in common.

What Dysport is approved for

Dysport is FDA-approved for the temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines) in adults younger than 65. It is also approved for some medical uses, such as cervical dystonia and muscle spasticity, that are outside dentistry.

Using Dysport on the forehead or around the eyes is off-label. That is legal and widely done, but it is worth knowing. For forehead lines and crow’s feet, BOTOX Cosmetic is the product with FDA approval.

Dysport vs Botox

  • Same basic action. Both are type A botulinum toxins that temporarily relax the muscle they are placed in.
  • Different units. Dysport is measured in units that cannot be compared with or converted into Botox units, so a larger number of Dysport units is not a larger dose. Comparing prices by the unit across brands can mislead you. Compare the cost of treating an area instead.
  • Different approvals. Botox Cosmetic is approved for frown lines, forehead lines, crow’s feet and neck bands. Dysport’s cosmetic approval is for frown lines.
  • Onset. You may read that Dysport starts working sooner. In a head-to-head trial, Botox and Dysport took about the same time to start working, around five days, so neither is simply “faster” or “better”.

If you have had good results with one brand, there is usually no reason to switch. If you are new to treatment, we will suggest a product based on the area and explain why.

Who should not have Dysport

Dysport may contain trace amounts of cow’s milk protein. If you are allergic to cow’s milk protein, you should not have Dysport, so tell us before treatment. The same cautions as for other botulinum toxins also apply. We recommend waiting if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It is not suitable if you have an infection at the injection site or are allergic to any botulinum toxin, and extra caution is needed with nerve-and-muscle conditions such as myasthenia gravis.

Results and side effects

In clinical trials for frown lines, the effect peaked within about a month and lasted up to around four months. Treatment should not be repeated more often than every three months. The most common side effects in those trials included a stuffy nose or sore throat, headache, pain or reaction at the injection site, and eyelid swelling or drooping. Like all botulinum toxin products, Dysport carries an FDA boxed warning about the rare spread of its effect beyond the injection site. Trouble swallowing, speaking or breathing after treatment is an emergency.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dysport the same as Botox?+

They are both type A botulinum toxins that work the same basic way, but they are different products made by different manufacturers, with different units and different FDA approvals.

Why does Dysport need more units than Botox?+

Because the units measure different things. Dysport units cannot be converted into Botox units, so the numbers are not comparable, and a higher unit count does not mean a stronger treatment.

Can I have Dysport if I have a milk allergy?+

Not if you are allergic to cow’s milk protein. Dysport may contain trace amounts of it. Tell us about any allergy and we will use a different product.

How long does Dysport last?+

In the frown-line trials, results lasted up to around four months. How long it lasts for you depends on your muscles and the dose.