Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Are They?Main DifferencesSide Effects & RisksDrug Interactions

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What Are They?

Main Differences

Side Effects & Risks

Drug Interactions

Daxxify (daxibotulinumtoxinA) and Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) are two neurotoxin brands used for cosmetic purposes, such as improving wrinkles or fine lines. They are also used for certain other medical conditions.

Both drugs are derivatives of botulinum neurotoxin type-A (BoNT-A) and work in the same way. However, they are not the same in their uses, dose units, and duration of action and are not interchangeable (one may not be used in place of the other).

Getty Images /Bloomberg/ Contributor

A syringe next to a vial of Botox and its packaging

Daxxify vs. Botox: What Are They?

The first type of BoNT introduced to the market was onabotulinumtoxinA, sold under the brand name Botox. It is used for medical, dermatological, and cosmetic purposes.

Botox cosmetic is used in adults to reduce:

Daxxify is the brand name for a novel injectable BoNTA product daxibotulinumtoxinA.On September 7, 2022, the FDA approved Daxxify based on evidence from two clinical trials at 30 different sites in America and Canada.

It is the first long-lasting BoNTA approved for treating moderate to severe glabellar lines (vertical lines between the eyebrows). Daxxify can be effective for six months, and the results may last nine months for some people.

It is also used to temporarily smooth frown lines (wrinkles between the eyebrows) andcervicaldystonia(involuntary muscle contractions in the neck) in adults.

How Do They Work?

Botulinum neurotoxin treatments are mainly used to smooth dynamic wrinkles resulting from facial movements like frowning, squinting, smiling, and other expressions.

Daxxify and Botox are injected into facial muscles. They block the nerve impulses and relax local muscles to reduce facial wrinkles/lines. These products reduce uncontrollable tightening and muscle movements that cause wrinkles.

Daxxify and Botox are derivatives of neurotoxins used for cosmetic and medical purposes. Their mechanism of action (how they work) is also the same; however, the two have some differences, such as:

Can You Receive Them at the Same Time?

Daxxify and Botox cannot be used at the same time or within three months of each other. Using both at the same time may lead to severe side effects.

Daxxify and Botox are not interchangeable. There is a difference in dose calculation and FDA-approved uses of these products.

Daxxify vs. Botox vs. Dysport

All the commercially used neurotoxins, includingDysport, are derived from botulinum neurotoxin type-A (BoNT-A). Dysport is the commercial name for abobotulinumtoxinA.

When comparing Dysport to Daxxify or Botox, there are some similarities and unique features. The table below compares the major characteristics.

Side Effects: Are There Any Risks?

Treatment with botulinum toxins, such as Botox and Daxxify, is safe, effective, and lacks severe side effects. Some localized, reversible complications can develop within a few days of the injection but usually disappear without treatment.These include:

Some side effects are serious and need medical attention. For this reason, Botox and Daxxify come with an FDA warning. The drugs' toxins may spread from the area of injection to other areas and cause life-threatening severe adverse effects, including:

Other severe side effects include severe allergic reactions and heart attacks.

Headaches After InjectionA headache can occur with facial injections. It is a common short-term side effect of botulinum toxins, such as Botox, Daxxify, and others. Botox, Daxxify, and other toxins initially cause muscle spasms and then complete paralysis.Most of these headaches are mild and resolve a few days after treatment. In some people, headaches may last two to four weeks. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or opioids may be used to manage headaches if needed.

Headaches After Injection

A headache can occur with facial injections. It is a common short-term side effect of botulinum toxins, such as Botox, Daxxify, and others. Botox, Daxxify, and other toxins initially cause muscle spasms and then complete paralysis.Most of these headaches are mild and resolve a few days after treatment. In some people, headaches may last two to four weeks. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or opioids may be used to manage headaches if needed.

A headache can occur with facial injections. It is a common short-term side effect of botulinum toxins, such as Botox, Daxxify, and others. Botox, Daxxify, and other toxins initially cause muscle spasms and then complete paralysis.

Most of these headaches are mild and resolve a few days after treatment. In some people, headaches may last two to four weeks. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or opioids may be used to manage headaches if needed.

Do They Interact With Any Other Medications?

Daxxify and Botox should be used with caution and under close supervision when taking other medications. Drugs that can increase the effects of the toxin include:

Administration of another botulinum toxin before the effects of a previously administered botulinum toxin have finished may cause excessive neuromuscular weakness.

Tell your healthcare professional before the procedure if you take any other drug to avoid interactions.

Summary

Daxxify and Botox are botulinum toxins that effectively reduce wrinkles and fine lines. Botox has been used for many years, but Daxxify is a new toxin that the FDA approved in 2022.

Both medications relax the facial muscles and improve fine lines for a certain period. However, they have different durations of action and are also used for different kinds of fine lines and units of dose measurement.

10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S Food and Drug Administration.Drug trials snapshot: DaxxifySatriyasa BK.Botulinum toxin (Botox) A for reducing the appearance of facial wrinkles: a literature review of clinical use and pharmacological aspect.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2019;12:223-228. doi:10.2147/CCID.S202919Solish N, Carruthers J, Kaufman J, et al.Overview of daxibotulinumtoxina for injection: a novel formulation of botulinum toxin type a.Drugs.2021;81(18):2091-2101. doi:10.1007/s40265-021-01631-wDailyMed.Label: Daxxify- botulinum toxin type a injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution.DailyMed.Label: Daxxify- botulinum toxin type a injection, powder, lyophilized, for solutionAmerican Board of Cosmetic Surgery.Botox type injectables guide.DailyMed.Label: Botox-onabotulinumtoxina injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution.Field M, Splevins A, Picaut P, et al.Abobotulinumtoxina (Dysport®), onabotulinumtoxina (Botox®), and incobotulinumtoxina (Xeomin®) neurotoxin content and potential implications for duration of response in patients.Toxins (Basel).2018;10(12):535. doi: 10.3390/toxins10120535Witmanowski H, Błochowiak K.The whole truth about botulinum toxin – a review.Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2020;37(6):853-861. doi:10.5114/ada.2019.82795Witmanowski H, Błochowiak K.The whole truth about botulinum toxin – a review.Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2020;37(6):853-861.  doi:10.5114/ada.2019.82795

10 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S Food and Drug Administration.Drug trials snapshot: DaxxifySatriyasa BK.Botulinum toxin (Botox) A for reducing the appearance of facial wrinkles: a literature review of clinical use and pharmacological aspect.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2019;12:223-228. doi:10.2147/CCID.S202919Solish N, Carruthers J, Kaufman J, et al.Overview of daxibotulinumtoxina for injection: a novel formulation of botulinum toxin type a.Drugs.2021;81(18):2091-2101. doi:10.1007/s40265-021-01631-wDailyMed.Label: Daxxify- botulinum toxin type a injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution.DailyMed.Label: Daxxify- botulinum toxin type a injection, powder, lyophilized, for solutionAmerican Board of Cosmetic Surgery.Botox type injectables guide.DailyMed.Label: Botox-onabotulinumtoxina injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution.Field M, Splevins A, Picaut P, et al.Abobotulinumtoxina (Dysport®), onabotulinumtoxina (Botox®), and incobotulinumtoxina (Xeomin®) neurotoxin content and potential implications for duration of response in patients.Toxins (Basel).2018;10(12):535. doi: 10.3390/toxins10120535Witmanowski H, Błochowiak K.The whole truth about botulinum toxin – a review.Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2020;37(6):853-861. doi:10.5114/ada.2019.82795Witmanowski H, Błochowiak K.The whole truth about botulinum toxin – a review.Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2020;37(6):853-861.  doi:10.5114/ada.2019.82795

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

U.S Food and Drug Administration.Drug trials snapshot: DaxxifySatriyasa BK.Botulinum toxin (Botox) A for reducing the appearance of facial wrinkles: a literature review of clinical use and pharmacological aspect.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2019;12:223-228. doi:10.2147/CCID.S202919Solish N, Carruthers J, Kaufman J, et al.Overview of daxibotulinumtoxina for injection: a novel formulation of botulinum toxin type a.Drugs.2021;81(18):2091-2101. doi:10.1007/s40265-021-01631-wDailyMed.Label: Daxxify- botulinum toxin type a injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution.DailyMed.Label: Daxxify- botulinum toxin type a injection, powder, lyophilized, for solutionAmerican Board of Cosmetic Surgery.Botox type injectables guide.DailyMed.Label: Botox-onabotulinumtoxina injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution.Field M, Splevins A, Picaut P, et al.Abobotulinumtoxina (Dysport®), onabotulinumtoxina (Botox®), and incobotulinumtoxina (Xeomin®) neurotoxin content and potential implications for duration of response in patients.Toxins (Basel).2018;10(12):535. doi: 10.3390/toxins10120535Witmanowski H, Błochowiak K.The whole truth about botulinum toxin – a review.Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2020;37(6):853-861. doi:10.5114/ada.2019.82795Witmanowski H, Błochowiak K.The whole truth about botulinum toxin – a review.Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2020;37(6):853-861.  doi:10.5114/ada.2019.82795

U.S Food and Drug Administration.Drug trials snapshot: Daxxify

Satriyasa BK.Botulinum toxin (Botox) A for reducing the appearance of facial wrinkles: a literature review of clinical use and pharmacological aspect.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2019;12:223-228. doi:10.2147/CCID.S202919

Solish N, Carruthers J, Kaufman J, et al.Overview of daxibotulinumtoxina for injection: a novel formulation of botulinum toxin type a.Drugs.2021;81(18):2091-2101. doi:10.1007/s40265-021-01631-w

DailyMed.Label: Daxxify- botulinum toxin type a injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution.

DailyMed.Label: Daxxify- botulinum toxin type a injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution

American Board of Cosmetic Surgery.Botox type injectables guide.

DailyMed.Label: Botox-onabotulinumtoxina injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution.

Field M, Splevins A, Picaut P, et al.Abobotulinumtoxina (Dysport®), onabotulinumtoxina (Botox®), and incobotulinumtoxina (Xeomin®) neurotoxin content and potential implications for duration of response in patients.Toxins (Basel).2018;10(12):535. doi: 10.3390/toxins10120535

Witmanowski H, Błochowiak K.The whole truth about botulinum toxin – a review.Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2020;37(6):853-861. doi:10.5114/ada.2019.82795

Witmanowski H, Błochowiak K.The whole truth about botulinum toxin – a review.Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2020;37(6):853-861.  doi:10.5114/ada.2019.82795

Meet Our Medical Expert Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit

What is your feedback?

By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.Cookies SettingsAccept All Cookies

By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.

Cookies SettingsAccept All Cookies