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How Similar Are Botox and Xeomin and Which Is Right for You?
Botox and Xeomin are both brand names for botulinum toxins, and both medications are used for some of the same conditions including blepharospasm (uncontrolled blinking), which was the original medical use for this type of product. Due to an inadvertent observation that patients who received Botox for medical conditions around the eyelids also had a decrease in wrinkles, a usage to enhance appearance was discovered.
Some conditions are better treated by one than the other, and each has different possible side effects and risks. We’ve heard about Botox for years, and Xeomin is the new kid on the block. While it is really up to your doctor to decide which will be most effective for your condition, it is important for you to understand the medication you are taking. So what exactly do you need to know about Botox and Xeomin? And what does your doctor need to know about you to make sure you have the safest and most appropriate medication?
These two botulinum toxins work by controlling the muscles. While both are used for uncontrolled blinking and cervical dystonia, a painful condition that involves the head and neck, in dermatology they are primarily used to reduce frown lines and wrinkles due to expression as well as to control excessive underarm sweating.
Now, since both products have very similar actions, what are the differences?
First of all, Xeomin is composed of pure botulinum toxin A, without any additives. This means that individuals are much less likely to develop antibodies are resistance to the product which has rarely happened to Botox in the past.
Another difference is that Xeomin is thought to have the potential to last longer or shorter than Botox by different practitioners, so the true answer is still being sorted out. While xeomin has been used to treat tens of thousands of individuals in other countries, it has officially been available to the general market in the United States for less than a year since a legal matter interrupted sales, so the answer to this question remains to be seen.
Yes, it is true that they are neurotoxins derived from the same substance that in large amounts can cause botulism, but never fear! In small, controlled doses from your doctor, there is not a risk of botulism. But there are other risks, and you need to be very sure you have informed your doctor of any and all medical conditions or symptoms you have to ensure your own safety. It’s always important to do this, but here are some specific things that are especially important if your doctor is considering Botox or Xeomin for you.
What You Need to Discuss with Your Doctor:
- Women need to discuss with their doctors whether or not they are pregnant or likely to become pregnant during the course of treatment and whether or not they are breast feeding, just as is necessary when any prescription is being considered.
- If you have ever suffered any problems with your eyes or had any type of eye surgery, even if it was many years ago, it is important to let your doctor know about it and provide as much detail as possible.
- Trouble swallowing is also something to tell your doctor about if he or she is considering treating you with Botox or Xeomin.
- Any type of neuro-muscular disease such as Myasthenia Gravis or seizure disorder will also influence your doctor’s thinking about your treatment with neurotoxins.
So, we are still waiting on the definitive answer of how Xeomin compares to Botox. In the meantime, both provide an effective way to correct unwanted furrows and creases due to mucscle movement at the glabellar area between the eyes. More specifics will be worked out as the clinical experience with Xeomin increases in the United States.
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