What is Dysport?
Dysport is a botulinum toxin type A medicine containing abobotulinumtoxinA. It is supplied as a powder, reconstituted with sterile saline before use, and like other type A toxins it temporarily reduces the signal that makes a muscle contract.
Dysport was developed by Ipsen; in some countries its aesthetic distribution is handled by a different company. Besides aesthetic use, it is used for certain neurological conditions. Its mechanism is the same as that of other type A toxins: it temporarily blocks the release of acetylcholine from nerve endings, so the target muscle contracts less. The effect then wears off gradually on its own, which is why treatment is repeated at intervals.
Because “botox” is used in everyday speech for all of these products, it is sensible to ask which one is being used. Like other toxins, Dysport must be stored refrigerated and, once reconstituted, used within the time stated in its product information. You can ask to see the box, batch number and expiry date. The choice of product is made by the doctor after your consultation, taking the area and your previous experience into account.
Why are Dysport units different?
Dysport doses are expressed in units defined by the manufacturer’s own biological activity test. These units are not equivalent to those of other botulinum toxin products and cannot be compared directly by number.
For every botulinum toxin product, a “unit” is defined by that manufacturer’s standard assay, and Dysport units are therefore specific to Dysport. It is normal for the number of Dysport units used in an area to look different from, and often higher than, the figure for another product. That does not mean more medicine is being given, or that the effect will be stronger or last longer.
Approximate conversion ratios between products are discussed in the medical literature, but they can vary with the area, dilution and technique and are not enough on their own to plan a dose. If you are switching to or from Dysport, the dose, your previous response and your muscle strength are reassessed. That calculation is made only by the doctor, at a face-to-face consultation.
Is there a difference in effect between Dysport and other toxins?
The core effect is similar across type A toxins. Debate continues on onset, spread and duration, but these are weighed alongside dose, technique and individual factors and do not make any product superior overall.
Some doctors and studies describe differences in how products diffuse through tissue or how quickly they take effect. However, those observations cannot be separated from dilution, injection depth and dose, and the same product injected differently can behave differently. That is why it is not accurate to rank products in general terms; the choice is made for the specific area and the specific person.
If you have previously felt that a product wore off very quickly, spread too widely or had a weaker effect than expected, please share that at your consultation. Such observations can guide the dose, injection points or product choice next time. Before attributing a single experience to the product, though, other possibilities such as dose, technique and individual factors are also considered.
Who may not be suitable for Dysport?
Treatment is not given, or is postponed, during pregnancy and breastfeeding, in neuromuscular conditions, when there is infection at the site and in anyone allergic to its ingredients. Because the product contains lactose, a cow’s milk protein allergy is also asked about.
In neuromuscular conditions such as myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome, the toxin may have a stronger effect than expected, so treatment is generally avoided. Some antibiotics and muscle-relaxing medicines can also change the assessment. As lactose and human albumin are among the excipients, please mention any allergy to cow’s milk protein or to the components. If there is active infection in the area, treatment waits until it has healed.
Suitability is not only a question of health. If what you want to change is volume loss or sagging skin, another method is likely to be more appropriate than toxin. Your medicines, supplements, previous treatments and any side effects you have experienced are discussed in detail. On that basis, the doctor decides whether the product is right for you.
What does Dysport treatment involve, and what is the aftercare?
After assessment and consent, small doses are injected into planned points with a fine needle. Afterwards, avoid massaging the area for a few hours and avoid strenuous exercise, saunas and hammams that day.
Your face is examined at rest and in motion, and the dose and injection points are planned. The skin is cleansed, the product prepared and the injections given; the procedure is usually short and most people return to their day straight away. The effect generally starts within a few days and is fully visible at around two weeks, when a review is arranged and the result is assessed together.
Possible side effects are similar to those of other botulinum toxins: redness, tenderness, bruising and headache are common and usually settle on their own. Less often, a drooping eyelid, uneven brows or an unintended effect on a neighbouring muscle can occur, and these can last several weeks. Difficulty swallowing, speaking or breathing requires urgent medical attention.
Frequently asked questions
Does a higher number of Dysport units mean a stronger effect?
No. Dysport units are specific to the product and not equivalent to other products’ units. A higher number does not indicate a stronger effect.
How long does Dysport last?
On the face, typically 3–4 months for most people; duration varies with dose, area, muscle strength and individual factors.
How is the choice between Dysport and Botox made?
The doctor chooses after your consultation, based on the area, the effect you want, your previous experience and the product’s licensing. Neither is regarded as superior overall.
How should I pass on details of a previous treatment?
Always give the dose together with the product name. A number of units without the product name is not a reliable guide.
Can Dysport be used for sweating?
Botulinum toxins can also be used for excessive sweating. Whether a particular product is appropriate for this depends on its licensing and your assessment, and is decided by the doctor.
Does Dysport start working faster than Botox?
Some studies have reported an earlier onset with Dysport than with Botox, but the difference has not been shown in every comparison and cannot be separated from dose, dilution and technique. In everyday practice, Dysport usually starts working within a few days for most people, with the full result at around two weeks. Onset alone is not a deciding factor when choosing between the two.
I am lactose intolerant. Can I have Dysport?
Lactose intolerance is generally not a barrier to Dysport: it is a digestive condition, and the product contains only a very small amount of lactose as an excipient. What matters is an allergy to cow’s milk protein, in which case Dysport is not used and another product can be considered. If you are unsure which one you have, mention it at your consultation.
Is Azzalure the same as Dysport?
In terms of active substance, yes: Azzalure contains abobotulinumtoxinA, like Dysport, and in some countries it is sold under this separate trade name for aesthetic use. However, packaging, vial contents, licensed uses and the distributing company can differ from country to country. Asking which trade name is being used, and seeing the box, also helps you pass on accurate dose details in future.
Are the side effects of Dysport different from Botox?
The possible side effects of Dysport are largely similar to those of Botox and other type A toxins: redness, bruising and headache, and less often a drooping eyelid or brow. How likely they are often depends more on dose, dilution, injection points and your anatomy than on the product name, which is why the dose is replanned whenever one product is switched for another.
Sources (3)
- U.S. FDA (DailyMed, NLM): DYSPORT- botulinum toxin type a injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution (Prescribing Information and Medication Guide) (2024)
- MHRA-approved SmPC via emc (Galderma): Azzalure, 125 Speywood units, powder for solution for injection - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)
- T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı TİTCK: Botox Preparatları Hakkında Duyuru (2018)
This content is for general information and does not replace a personal medical assessment.