Uses

What is Dysport used for?

Dysport (abobotulinumtoxinA) is commonly used for the following conditions.

  • Cervical dystonia (a painful movement disorder causing your head to twist and turn or be pulled backward or forward due to muscle contractions in your neck)
  • Muscle stiffness in people with spasticity
  • Temporarily improve the look of moderate to severe frown lines between your eyebrows

Dysport may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does Dysport work (mechanism of action)?

For cervical dystonia and spasticity, Dysport works to reduce spasms and pain by blocking certain nerve signals and reducing muscle activity at the site where it is injected. 

Muscle activity can lead to the appearance of wrinkles and lines, such as frown lines. By reducing the muscle activity between your eyebrows, Dysport temporarily makes lines on your face look better. 

How is Dysport supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Dysport

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 300 units/vial
  • 500 units/vial

How should I store Dysport?

Dysport is usually given by a healthcare provider in a hospital or clinic. If you will store Dysport at home, follow the instructions given by your healthcare provider.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Dysport?

The most common side effects of Dysport are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on the condition that is being treated, where you receive your injection, and your age. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Muscle weakness
  • Muscle or joint pain, or pain in your arms, hands, feet, or legs
  • Trouble swallowing
  • Dry mouth
  • Discomfort or pain at the injection site
  • Headache
  • Tiredness
  • Falls
  • Infection in the nose or throat, sore throat, or common cold symptoms
  • Sinus infection
  • Hoarseness
  • Eye problems, such as swelling of your eyelids or drooping eyelids
  • Nausea
  • Blood in your pee
  • Fever

There may be other side effects of Dysport that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Dysport?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Dysport are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Spread of Toxin Effects. The medicine in Dysport may affect areas of your body away from the injection site. This may cause symptoms of a serious condition called botulism. Symptoms of botulism can start within hours, days, or weeks after your dose. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of botulism.

  • Loss of strength or muscle weakness all over the body
  • Double vision, blurred vision, and drooping eyelids
  • Losing your voice, changes in your voice, hoarseness, or trouble saying words clearly (dysarthria)
  • Loss of bladder control
  • Trouble breathing or swallowing

Severe Allergic Reactions. Dysport may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using Dysport and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble in swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Breathing, Swallowing, or Speaking Problems. Dysport may cause problems with breathing, swallowing or speaking. This can be serious or life-threatening. This is caused if the muscles you use to breathe and swallow become weak after the injection. It can happen hours, days, or weeks after your dose. Swallowing difficulties can last for several weeks. People who have trouble swallowing may need a feeding tube to get food and water. If swallowing issues are severe, food or liquids could get into your lungs. Get emergency medical help right away if you have trouble breathing, swallowing, or speaking.

Eye Dryness. When Dysport is used to treat frown lines, it may cause dry eyes. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms of eye dryness.

  • Changes in your vision
  • Eye pain or irritation
  • Eyes sensitive to light

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Dysport?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use Dysport.

  • Dysport
  • AbobotulinumtoxinA
  • Any other medicine known as a botulinum toxin product
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Dysport.

Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy. People with an allergy to cow’s milk protein should not use Dysport.

Skin Infection at the Injection Site. Dysport should not be injected into skin that is infected. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any symptoms of skin infection, such as redness, pain, swelling, warm skin, or blisters.

What should I know about Dysport before using it?

Do not use Dysport unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will store and give you the medicine. 

Dysport may cause loss of strength, muscle weakness, vision problems, or drooping eyelids within hours, days, or weeks after an injection of Dysport. If any of these happen to you, do not drive, or do other activities that require alertness or coordination.

People who are 65 or older can be at greater risk for some side effects from Dysport. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risks if you are in this age group.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using Dysport?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Dysport is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

  • Muscle or nerve disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig’s disease, myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome
  • Breathing problems, such as asthma or emphysema
  • Swallowing problems
  • Plans to have surgery
  • Past surgery on your face
  • Bleeding problems
  • Diabetes
  • Heart problems, such as a slow or abnormal heartbeat
  • Muscle weakness in or near the planned injection site
  • Drooping eyelids
  • Changes in the way your face normally looks
  • Dry eyes after receiving any other botulinum product

Other Medicines and Supplements. Dysport may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using Dysport, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Dysport could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. 

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Dysport passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should use Dysport while breastfeeding.

How can I get more information about Dysport?

For more information about Dysport, you can visit the manufacturer’s website at www.dysport.com or www.DysportUSA.com or call them at 855-463-5127.

Interactions

Does Dysport interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Dysport and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Dysport. If you have blurred vision from Dysport, alcohol may worsen this effect. 

Does Dysport interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using Dysport.

  • A botulinum toxin product, such as rimabotulinumtoxinB (Myobloc), onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox, Botox Cosmetic), or incobotulinumtoxinA (Xeomin), which is a medicine commonly used to reduce wrinkles or spasms.
  • An aminoglycoside antibiotic, such as amikacin or gentamicin, which is given by injection to treat infections
  • An anticholinergic medicine, which includes antihistamines and medicines commonly used for overactive bladder, Parkinson’s disease, or stomach problems
  • A muscle relaxant, such as carisoprodol (Soma), cyclobenzaprine, or tizanidine (Zanaflex)
  • A sleep medicine, such as temazepam (Restoril), zolpidem (Ambien and others), or eszopiclone (Lunesta)
  • Aspirin, which is in many prescription and OTC products including those for pain, swelling, and fever
  • An antiplatelet medicine, such as clopidogrel (Plavix), ticagrelor (Brilinta), aspirin/dipyridamole, or cilostazol, which is a medicine used to prevent blood clots
  • A blood thinner, which is a medicine used to treat or prevent blood clots
Does Dysport (abobotulinumtoxinA) interact with other drugs you are taking?
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Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Dysport?

If you or someone else has used too much Dysport, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Dysport?

Dysport is usually given by a healthcare provider in a clinic. Your healthcare provider will make sure you are receiving Dysport as scheduled.

If you miss an appointment to get your Dysport dose, call to make another appointment as soon as possible.

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