Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsXeominBotoxHow They WorkEfficacy
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Xeomin
Botox
How They Work
Efficacy
Xeomin(incobotulinumtoxinA) andBotox(onabotulinumtoxinA)are two prescription drug brands used to correct facial wrinkles temporarily. They also have value in easing symptoms of certain health problems. Both drugs behave in the same way and provide similar results.
This article explains how these drugs work and their uses, dosages, and side effects.
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Xeomin injectables primarily consist of the active ingredient incobotulinumtoxinA, a preparation of botulinum toxin type A. It is called a naked injectable, meaning the solution contains no additives.
Xeomin is injected into muscles or glands. It is administered in an in-office, minimally invasive cosmetic procedure. Because the effects of Xeomin are reversible and temporary, you must have regular treatments at periodic intervals to maintain the desired effect.
Uses
Xeomin is also used to treat the following non-cosmetic health conditions related to movement disorders:
Dosage
Your healthcare provider determines the appropriate dosage of Xeomin. The total recommended dosage of Xeomin varies based on the condition being treated. The following dosages are recommended:
Glabellar lines:The recommended dose for glabellar lines is 20 units per treatment session, with the total dose divided into five equal intramuscular injections of 4 units each. The injection placement includes two injections in each corrugator muscle (eyebrow muscle) and one in the procerus muscle (the muscle between the eyebrows). The minimum recommended time between treatment sessions is three months.
Chronic sialorrhea:The recommended total dose for chronic sialorrhea is 100 units per treatment session, consisting of 30 units perparotid gland(major salivary gland) and 20 units persubmandibular gland(salivary gland). The minimum recommended time between treatment sessions is 16 weeks.
Upper limb spasticity, cervical dystonia, and blepharospasm:Dosage is individualized for each patient’s needs. Prior treatment and severity of symptoms are used to determine the optimum dose, frequency, and the number of injection sites in the treated muscle(s) for these conditions. The recommended doses include the following:
Side Effects
Glabellar lines:
Chronic Sialorrhea:
Upper Limb Spasticity:
Cervical Dystonia:
Blepharospasm:
Serious Side Effects of Botulinum Toxin Type AThough rare, serious side effects can occur within hours to weeks after an injection of Xeomin or Botox. These potentially life-threatening problems can include the following complications:Problems with swallowing, speaking, or breathingSpread of toxin effects to areas of the body far from the injection siteOnset of botulism disease, causing muscle weakness throughout your body
Serious Side Effects of Botulinum Toxin Type A
Though rare, serious side effects can occur within hours to weeks after an injection of Xeomin or Botox. These potentially life-threatening problems can include the following complications:Problems with swallowing, speaking, or breathingSpread of toxin effects to areas of the body far from the injection siteOnset of botulism disease, causing muscle weakness throughout your body
Though rare, serious side effects can occur within hours to weeks after an injection of Xeomin or Botox. These potentially life-threatening problems can include the following complications:
Cost
The cost of Xeomin varies significantly, though its cost is comparable to Botox. Xeomin is measured and priced in units. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, a typical cost is about $10 to $15 per unit.
Botox treats medical conditions ranging from blepharospasm (eye spasm) tomigraine headaches. Another form of the product,Botox Cosmetic, is FDA-approved for cosmetic use, such as wrinkle reduction.
The drug sold under the brand name Botox is a time-tested medication that has been extensively studied. However, due to its longevity, the term “Botox” is often used to describe all brands of botulinum toxin type A injections.
Botox is FDA-approved to treat the following conditions:
Botox Cosmetic is FDA-approved to treat the following cosmetic issues in adults:
The Simple Truths About Botox
Dosages for Botox are specific to the condition being treated. Adults treated for one or more conditions with Botox Cosmetic should not exceed 400 units in intervals of three months.
The recommended dosage of Botox Cosmetic includes the following:
Glabellar lines:The recommended dose for glabellar lines is 4 units per 0.1 mL injection for each of the five sites, for a total dose of 20 units.
Lateral canthal lines:The recommended dose is 4 units per 0.1 mL injection into each of three sites per side (six total injection points), for 24 total units.
Forehead lines;The recommended dose for forehead lines is 4 units per 0.1 mL injection in each of five forehead line sites (20 units) with 4 units per 0.1 mL injection in each of five glabellar line sites (20 units), for a recommended total of 40 units.
Adults who are being treated for one or more conditions with Botox should not exceed 360 units in intervals of three months. The recommended dosage for specific conditions includes the following:
Urinary incontinence:The recommended dose for urinary incontinence due to detrusor (bladder muscle) overactivity is 200 units, as 1 mL (about 6.7-unit) injections across 30 sites into the detrusor.
Chronic migraine:The recommended total dose for chronic migraine is 155 units, as 5 units per 0.1 mL injection per site divided across seven head/neck muscles.
Upper limb spasticity:The recommended dose for upper limb spasticity is based on the muscles affected, the severity of muscle activity, the initial response to treatment, and adverse event history.
Cervical dystonia:The recommended dose is based on the patient’s head and neck position, localization of pain, muscle hypertrophy, patient response, and adverse event history. A lower initial dose is advised for people without prior botulinum toxin treatment.
Axillary hyperhidrosis:The recommended dose for axillary hyperhidrosis is 50 units per axilla (armpit).
Blepharospasm:The recommended dose for blepharospasm is 1.25 units to 2.5 units into each of three sites per affected eye.
Strabismus:The recommended dose for strabismus is 1.25 units to 2.5 units initially in any muscle.
Lateral canthal lines:
Forehead lines:
The most common side effects of Botox for medical conditions include the following:
Urinary incontinence associated with a neurologic condition:
Chronic migraine:
Spasticity:
Cervical dystonia:
Axillary hyperhidrosis:
Headache After Botox: What You Should Know
The cost of Botox varies significantly based on a wide range of factors that include the expertise and qualifications of the person performing the treatment, the time and effort involved in administering the treatment, and your geographic location. Other factors such as the location of the treatment and your desired results, which can affect the amount of Botox used, can also affect cost.
Like Xeomin, Botox is measured in units, with a typical cost of about $10 to $15 per unit. Other costs may also be involved in the procedure.
While Xeomin and Botox are similar, they should not be used together or interchangeably with other botulinum products.
What Is Botulinum Toxin?
Is Xeomin as Good as Botox?
Research shows that Xeomin and Botox have comparable efficacy and healing effects, with similar mechanisms of action. Botox and Xeomin are dosed similarly so that they have a clinical conversion of 1-to-1, meaning that 20 units of Xeomin are equivalent to the strength of 20 units of Botox.
The primary difference between Xeomin and Botox is in their formulation. The contents of Botox differ from those of Xeomin.
While Botox is purified with extra proteins, Xeomin only contains the active neurotoxin. It does not contain the complexing proteins that are contained in conventional botulinum neurotoxin type A drugs like Botox. The purity of Xeomin may mean that its formulation may reduce the risk of antibody-induced therapy failure in individuals where this is an issue.
Both drugs last about 12 weeks depending on the individual’s needs. Your healthcare provider can help you determine which drug is most appropriate for your condition and treatment goals.
Summary
The effects of Xeomin and Botox are temporary and need retreatment to continue to work. Effects of both drugs last about 12 weeks, depending on personal response and the type of problem being treated.
While both drugs are safe, side effects can occur. Some side effects can be serious for some people. A healthcare provider can help you choose the right brand for your needs.
9 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.Xeomin.Xeomin important consumer safety information.Food and Drug Administration.Xeomin label.American Society of Plastic Surgeons.What’s behind the cost of Botox and injectable fillers?Food and Drug administration.Botox label.Food and Drug Administration.Botox Cosmetic label.Scaglione F.Conversion ratio between Cotox®, Dysport®, and Xeomin® in clinical practice.Toxins. 2016;8(3):65. doi:10.3390/toxins8030065American Academy of Facial Esthetics.Xeomin: what is it and how Xeomin compares to Botox.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Botox.Park J, Lee MS, Harrison AR.Profile of Xeomin® (incobotulinumtoxinA) for the treatment of blepharospasm. Clin Ophthalmol. 2011;5:725-32. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S13978
9 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.Xeomin.Xeomin important consumer safety information.Food and Drug Administration.Xeomin label.American Society of Plastic Surgeons.What’s behind the cost of Botox and injectable fillers?Food and Drug administration.Botox label.Food and Drug Administration.Botox Cosmetic label.Scaglione F.Conversion ratio between Cotox®, Dysport®, and Xeomin® in clinical practice.Toxins. 2016;8(3):65. doi:10.3390/toxins8030065American Academy of Facial Esthetics.Xeomin: what is it and how Xeomin compares to Botox.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Botox.Park J, Lee MS, Harrison AR.Profile of Xeomin® (incobotulinumtoxinA) for the treatment of blepharospasm. Clin Ophthalmol. 2011;5:725-32. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S13978
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.
Xeomin.Xeomin important consumer safety information.Food and Drug Administration.Xeomin label.American Society of Plastic Surgeons.What’s behind the cost of Botox and injectable fillers?Food and Drug administration.Botox label.Food and Drug Administration.Botox Cosmetic label.Scaglione F.Conversion ratio between Cotox®, Dysport®, and Xeomin® in clinical practice.Toxins. 2016;8(3):65. doi:10.3390/toxins8030065American Academy of Facial Esthetics.Xeomin: what is it and how Xeomin compares to Botox.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Botox.Park J, Lee MS, Harrison AR.Profile of Xeomin® (incobotulinumtoxinA) for the treatment of blepharospasm. Clin Ophthalmol. 2011;5:725-32. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S13978
Xeomin.Xeomin important consumer safety information.
Food and Drug Administration.Xeomin label.
American Society of Plastic Surgeons.What’s behind the cost of Botox and injectable fillers?
Food and Drug administration.Botox label.
Food and Drug Administration.Botox Cosmetic label.
Scaglione F.Conversion ratio between Cotox®, Dysport®, and Xeomin® in clinical practice.Toxins. 2016;8(3):65. doi:10.3390/toxins8030065
American Academy of Facial Esthetics.Xeomin: what is it and how Xeomin compares to Botox.
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Botox.
Park J, Lee MS, Harrison AR.Profile of Xeomin® (incobotulinumtoxinA) for the treatment of blepharospasm. Clin Ophthalmol. 2011;5:725-32. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S13978
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