The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved this new botulinum toxin type A product to treat severe frown lines or “11′s” between the eyebrows. Xeomin is manufactured by Merz Pharmaceuticals, and has been used by more than 84,000 people worldwide. It is now approved for use in 20 countries.
Like other drugs in this category, Xeomin works by paralyzing wrinkles. It blocks the signals from the nerves to the muscles. As a result, the targeted muscle cannot contract.
How is XEOMIN® administered?
XEOMIN is injected directly into the affected muscles. The injection plan varies from person to person, depending on the number of muscles involved and the extent of their involvement.
How many XEOMIN shots will I need for treatment?
This also varies from person to person. Your doctor will decide how many sites to inject and the total dose per muscle based on your condition.
How often will I need treatment with XEOMIN?
Everyone is different. However, clinical studies suggest that it generally takes 7 days before most people begin to feel improvement. The effect generally lasts up to 12 weeks, but the effect in individual patients may be significantly longer or shorter.
Xeomin vs. Botox and Dysport
Unlike its predecessors, Xeomin does not need to be refrigerated. This may be an advantage when it comes to distribution. What’s more, Xeomin is “naked.” There are no additives — just botulinum toxin type A. This may lessen a patient’s likelihood of developing antibodies to Xeomin. When your body senses a foreign invader, it responds by creating antibodies and launching an attack. If this were to occur with a neurotoxin such as botulinum toxin type A, it may not have its desired effects.
Xeomin is said to be more like Botox than Dysport. It takes about one week for the full effects of Xeomin injections to be realized, and once this occurs the results last from three to six months. Dysport, Xeomin and Botox should not be used interchangeably. They should also only be administered by skilled injectors such as dermatologists or board-certified facial plastic surgeons in sterile environments such as medi-spas or doctor’s offices. Xeomin should not be injected in beauty salons, malls or at Xeomin parties in the home.
Xeomin Complications
Like other botulinum products, Xeomin must carry a black box warning regarding a rare risk for spreading outside of the injection site. If this occurs, life-threatening swallowing and breathing problems may result. This has not been seen in people receiving neurotoxins for cosmetic reasons or to treat blepharospams. It has mainly occurred among children treated off-label for cerebral palsy-related muscle spasms. Other general Xeomin risks may include:
- Bleeding and bruising at the injection site
- Allergic reactions such as itching, swelling or shortness of breath.
Your doctor should discuss all the potential Xeomin risks with you during your consultation. Possible Xeomin side effects when this neurotoxin is used to treat cervical dystonia may include:
- Neck pain
- Muscle weakness
- Injection site pain
- Musculoskeletal pain.
Xeomin side effects when used to treat blepharospasm may include:
- Eyelid sagging (ptosis)
- Dry eye
- Dry mouth
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Visual impairment
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
- Upper respiratory infections.