New Drug Approved to Fight Frown Lines
The drug, Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA) manufactured by Merz Pharmaceuticals, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of severe frown lines in July 2011. Like Botox® and Dysport, Xeomin is a botulinum toxin type A product. Xeomin was already FDA approved in 2010 for the treatment of cervical dystonia (which causes abnormal neck pain and movements) and blepharospasm (involuntary blinking or spasm of the eyelids) in adults. Nearly 85,000 people in 20 countries around the world have used Xeomin. The drug is approved under the brand name Bocouture in 14 European countries including France, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom.
According to the manufacturer, the recent FDA approval is based on two U.S. clinical trials where patients saw significant improvement in the appearance of frown lines within thirty days of injection.
Xeomin works in much the same way that Botox® and Dysport do. The drug is injected by a skilled dermatologist or board-certified facial plastic surgeon at the site of wrinkles. Xeomin relaxes muscles involved in repetitive facial movements by blocking the nerve signals that trigger muscle movement. The full effects of Xeomin take approximately one week to manifest but last for up to six months.
Xeomin bears a distinct difference from its predecessors, Botox® and Dysport. Xeomin is "naked" -- meaning there are no additives. It is simply botulinum toxin type A. This is significant because the body creates antibodies in an effort to attack what it considers "foreign invaders" in the blood stream. If the body creates antibodies to a drug - like Xeomin - it will reduce its effectiveness. Since there are no additives in Xeomin, it may decrease the likelihood of a patient developing antibodies to the drug.
Xeomin, Botox® and Dysport should not be used alternately. Consult with a qualified cosmetic surgeon to decide which injectable cosmetic treatment for severe frown lines would be best for you. Xeomin is expected to be available nationwide in the spring of 2012. To learn more about Xeomin, Botox® or other similar drugs, contact Dr. Karsan, a Dallas-based, board-certified facial plastic surgeon at 214-646-8777 to request your personal consultation.
