And then there were three … facial injection treatments to treat frown lines that is.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved IncobotulinumtoxinA, more commonly known as Xeomin, for use in the temporary improvement of the appearance of moderate to severe glabellar lines. Essentially, this new product from Merz Aesthetics will reduce the appearance of wrinkles and “frown lines” that commonly appear with age between the eyebrows on one’s face.
Under the brand name Bocouture, IncobotulinumtoxinA has been approved for use as a temporary improvement in the appearance of glabellar lines in 14 countries in the European Union, including Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Spain. It is not uncommon for new drugs and pharmaceuticals to gain approval overseas before the FDA approves them in the United States.
Xeomin was already approved by the FDA last summer for the treatment of cervical dystonia and blepharospasm.
With its new application as a temporary relief of glabellar lines, Xeomin now has an application that is very similar to BOTOX® and Dysport. For doctors and injectors, one of the main differences between Xeomin and BOTOX and Dysport is that Xeomin does not need to be refrigerated and has a shelf life of 2 to 3 years.
Only the future will tell if this drug will garner market share as it competes with the two currently FDA-approved drugs Botox (made by Allergan) and Dysport (made by Medicis).
Jeffrey J. Roth, M.D., F.A.C.S.
(702) 450-0777www.jjrothmd.com
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