Xeomin®

What is Xeomin?

Xeomin is another purified protein derived from the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum type A, similar to Botox.

It is FDA approved for the treatment of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows (the11s) as well as treatment of cervical dystonia and blepharospasm.

I our office we use it on-label and off-label to treat the same facial lines treated by Botox, including frown lines, crow’s feet, forehead wrinkles, and neck lines.

Better or worse then Botox?

Xeomin and Botox share the identical active ingredient – botulinum toxin A and work the same way to paralyze muscles and smooth wrinkles.

Xeomin is the first one that does not need to be refrigerated before use, which may simplify distribution.

Xeomin has no additives, just botulinum toxin type A. This may mean that there is less risk of developing antibodies against Xeomin than other available neurotoxins. The body develops antibodies in response to a foreign invader and attacks. In theory, antibodies could prevent a neurotoxin from having its desired effects.

The effects of Xeomin occur within one week (3-4 days), and the results typically last three months, making it comparable to Botox in terms of both onset and duration of action.

What are the risks?

The most common side effects are local and self-limited and include but are not limited to discomfort, bleeding and bruising at the injection site, nausea, headache, dry mouth and eye problems: double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, and swelling of eyelids. In clinical trials of XEOMIN® for the treatment of frown lines between the eyebrows, headache was the most common side effect.

Serious and/or immediate allergic reactions have been reported with use of Botulinum Toxin: itching, rash, red itchy welts, wheezing, asthma symptoms, or dizziness or feeling faint.

There is a risk that all Botulinum toxin products may spread from the area where they were injected to other parts of the body, causing potentially life-threatening swallowing and breathing problems. This was predominantly seen in children treated with Botox off-label for cerebral palsy. These issues have not been reported among people who received botulinum products for cosmetic uses or to treat blepharospasm.