Dysport is an injection containing abobotulinumtoxinA (Botulinum toxin type A). AbobotulinumtoxinA is made from the bacteria that causes botulism. Botulinum toxin blocks nerve activity in the muscles, causing a temporary reduction in muscle activity.
Dysport is used to treat the abnormal head position and neck pain that happens with cervical dystonia (CD) in adults.
Dysport is also used to improve the look of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines) in adults younger than 65 years of age for a short period of time.
Dysport is also used for the treatment of upper limb spasticity in adults.
Dysport may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information
The botulinum toxin contained in Dysport can spread to other body areas beyond where it was injected. This has caused serious life-threatening side effects in some people receiving Dysport, even for cosmetic purposes.
Call your doctor at once if you have a hoarse voice, drooping eyelids, vision problems, severe muscle weakness, loss of bladder control, or trouble breathing, talking, or swallowing. Some of these effects can occur up to several weeks after receiving a Dysport injection. Dysport should be given only by a trained medical professional, even when used for cosmetic purposes. Botox is another brand of botulinum toxin injection. Do not seek botulinum toxin injections from more than one medical professional at a time. If you switch healthcare providers, be sure to tell your new provider how long it has been since your last botulinum toxin injectio.
Using Dysport more often than prescribed will not make it more effective and may result in serious side effects.
You should not receive Dysport if you are allergic to botulinum toxin or cow"s milk, or if you have an infection, swelling, or muscle weakness in the area where the medicine will be injected.
Before receiving Dysport injection, tell your doctor if you have ALS (Lou Gehrig"s disease), myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton syndrome, a breathing disorder, trouble swallowing, facial muscle weakness, a change in the appearance of your face, seizures, bleeding problems, heart disease, diabetes, if you have had or will have surgery, or if you have ever received other botulinum toxin injections such as Botox or Myobloc.
The effects of Dysport injection are temporary. Your symptoms may return completely within 3 months after an injection. After repeat injections, it may take less and less time before your symptoms return, especially if your body develops antibodies to the botulinum toxin.
Before using Dysport
You should not receive Dysport if you are allergic to botulinum toxin or cow"s milk, or if you have an infection, swelling, or muscle weakness in the area where the medicine will be injected. Tell your doctor if you have ever had a side effect after receiving Dysport in the past.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely receive Dysport:
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amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or "Lou Gehrig"s disease");
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myasthenia gravis;
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Lambert-Eaton syndrome;
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a breathing disorder such as asthma or emphysema;
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problems with swallowing;
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facial muscle weakness (droopy eyelids, weak forehead, trouble raising your eyebrows);
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a change in the normal appearance of your face;
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a seizure disorder;
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bleeding problems;
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heart disease;
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diabetes;
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if you have had or plan to have surgery (especially on your face); or
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if you have ever received other botulinum toxin injections such as Botox or Myobloc (especially in the last 4 months).
Dysport is made from human plasma (part of the blood) which may contain viruses and other infectious agents. Donated plasma is tested and treated to reduce the risk of it containing infectious agents, but there is still a small possibility it could transmit disease. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using Dysport.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Dysport will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using Dysport. It is not known whether botulinum toxin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not receive Dysport without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)
How is Dysport given?
Dysport is injected into a muscle. A doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. Dysport injections should be spaced at least 3 months apart.
Dysport injection should be given only by a trained medical professional, even when used for cosmetic purposes.
Your injection may be given into more than one area at a time, depending on the condition being treated.
The effects of a Dysport injection are temporary. Your symptoms may return completely within 3 months after an injection. After repeat injections, it may take less and less time before your symptoms return, especially if your body develops antibodies to the botulinum toxin. Do not seek botulinum toxin injections from more than one medical professional at a time. If you switch healthcare providers, be sure to tell your new provider how long it has been since your last botulinum toxin injection.
Using Dysport more often than prescribed will not make it more effective and may result in serious side effects.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since Dysport has a temporary effect and is given at widely spaced intervals, missing a dose is not likely to be harmful.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may not appear right away, but can include muscle weakness, trouble swallowing, and weak or shallow breathing.
What should I avoid?
Dysport may impair your vision or depth perception. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be able to see clearly.
Avoid going back to your normal physical activities too quickly after receiving an injection.
Dysport side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Dysport: hives; difficulty breathing; feeling like you might pass out; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
The botulinum toxin contained in Dysport can spread to other body areas beyond where it was injected. This has caused serious life-threatening side effects in some people receiving Dysport injections, even for cosmetic purposes.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects, some of which can occur up to several weeks after an injection:
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trouble breathing, talking, or swallowing;
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hoarse voice, drooping eyelids;
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problems with vision;
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unusual or severe muscle weakness (especially in a body area that was not injected with the medication);
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loss of bladder control;
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crusting or drainage from your eyes;
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severe skin rash or itching;
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fast, slow, or uneven heartbeats; or
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chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, general ill feeling.
Less serious Dysport side effects may include:
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muscle weakness near where the medicine was injected;
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bruising, bleeding, pain, redness, or swelling where the injection was given;
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headache, muscle pain or stiffness, neck or back pain;
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fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, flu symptoms,
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dizziness, drowsiness, tired feeling;
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nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, loss of appetite;
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dry mouth, dry eyes, ringing in your ears;
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increased sweating in areas other than the underarms;
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itchy or watery eyes, increased sensitivity to light; or
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eyelid swelling or bruising.
This is not a complete list of Dysport side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)
What other drugs will affect Dysport?
Other medications such as cold or allergy medicine, muscle relaxers, sleeping pills, bronchodilators, bladder or urinary medicines, and irritable bowel medicines can increase some of the side effects of Dysport. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these medications.
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:
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an injected antibiotic such as amikacin (Amikin), gentamicin (Garamycin), kanamycin (Kantrex), neomycin (Mycifradin, Neo-Fradin, Neo-Tab), paromomycin (Humatin, Paromycin), streptomycin, tobramycin (Nebcin, Tobi).
This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Dysport. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor that you have received Dysport in the past.
