I have received an increasing number of questions about the difference between Botox and Dysport, so I thought it would be good to address the question here. I use both products almost interchangeably.
Are Botox and Dysport both used for the same purpose?
Yes. Both are derived from botulinum toxin and are simply different in their purification methods. Botox is the trade name for the botulinum toxin product made by Allergan (manufacturer of Juvederm, Kybella) and Dysport is the tradename for the botulinum toxin product made by Galderma (manufacturer of Restylane, Sculptra).
Do Botox and Dysport have the same effect?
Yes. Although there is some conflicting data, it is suggested that onset of action of Dysport may be sooner (closer to 3 days than the 5 days for Botox). There is also some data showing increased spread of Dysport compared to Botox. Although clinically, I have not found an obvious difference.
Is the price of Botox different than the price of Dysport?
No. Although the “per unit” price of dysport is lower, in actuality you are using 3 times the amount of product and therefore the price is very similar for both products. For example, I generally recommend 25-40 units of Botox for use in the forehead which would be equivalent to 75-120 units of Dysport.
They are both FDA approved for reducing severity of glabellar lines – Botox originally receiving FDA approval in the 2002 and Dysport in 2009. Botox is also FDA approved for treatment of crow’s feet.
How do I determine whether I use Botox or Dysport? As mentioned, I tend to use the two products interchangeably. If patients request one product or the other, I will use whichever they prefer. If a patient believes they have developed some resistance to one of the products, I will try the other product.
Are there other products similar to Botox and Dysport? Yes, the third FDA approved botulinum toxin product is Xeomin and is manufactured by Merz.
Are there any new products coming out in the near future? There is nothing on the immediate horizon, but there is promise with new longer lasting products. One of those products is undergoing human trials at the moment and may last as long as 6 months, which is very exciting!
Email or call with questions!
-JR
