January 23, 2010
Some this this year, Health Canada is expected to approve Dysport® as an injectable treatment for wrinkles. Made from the same neurotoxin as Botox®, Dysport® is said to act more quickly and may last longer than Botox, according to a new study from the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery. It is also expected that Dysport® will probably be priced lower than Botox, possible starting a marketing battle and a price war.
Botox® has been used in medical applications to treat muscle spasms and other conditions for nearly three decades. In 1999, it was approved in Canada for cosmetic use. It is made from botulinum toxin A, the same bacteria that cause botulism food poisoning. Dysport®, which has been marketed for several years in Europe and South America, is made from the same neurotoxin as Botox. The difference, according to several reports, is that DYsport® will act in one to two days instead of the three to five days Botox® needs to kick in. Further, clinical trials suggest injections may be effective for up to five or six months, as opposed to about three months for Botox®.
