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Dysport

Generic name: abobotulinumtoxinAA-boe-BOT-ue-LYE-num-TOX-in-A ]
Drug class: Skeletal muscle relaxants

Medically reviewed by Sophia Entringer, PharmD. Last updated on Aug 2, 2023.

What is Dysport?

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 in adults to treat cervical dystonia (abnormal head position and neck pain).

Dysport is also used to treat muscle spasms and stiffness (spasticity) of the arms, hands, legs, and feet in adults and children at least 2 years old. This medicine will not treat spasticity caused by cerebral palsy.

Dysport is also used to temporarily lessen the appearance of facial wrinkles.

Warnings

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.

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.

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. This injection 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 injection.

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, Myobloc, or Xeomin.

The effects of abobotulinumtoxinA 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 taking this medicine

You should not receive Dysport if you are allergic to botulinum toxin or cow's milk, or if you have an infection in the area where the medicine will be injected. Tell your doctor if you have ever had a side effect after receiving botulinum toxin in the past.

To make sure Dysport is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

Dysport is made from donated human plasma and may contain viruses or other infectious agents. Donated plasma is tested and treated to reduce the risk of contamination, but there is still a small possibility it could transmit disease. Ask your doctor about any possible risk.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

How is Dysport given?

Dysport injections should be given only by a trained medical professional, even when used for cosmetic purposes.

Dysport is injected into a muscle by a healthcare provider. The injections should be spaced at least 3 months apart. Children should not be treated with this medicine more often than every 12 to 16 weeks.

Dysport injections may be given into more than one area at a time, depending on the condition being treated.

The effects of this injection are temporary. Your symptoms may return completely within 3 months. 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, 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 botulinum toxin 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 after receiving Dysport?

Dysport may impair your vision or depth perception. Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you.

Avoid going back to your normal physical activities too quickly after receiving an injection.

Dysport side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have 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 botulinum toxin injections, even for cosmetic purposes.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these side effects (up to several hours or several weeks after an injection):

Common Dysport side effects may include:

This is not a complete list of 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.

What other drugs will affect Dysport?

Other drugs can increase some of the side effects of Dysport, including cold or allergy medicine, muscle relaxers, sleeping pills, bronchodilators, bladder or urinary medicines, and irritable bowel medicines. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these medicines.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

This list is not complete. Other medicines may interact with abobotulinumtoxinA, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor that you have received Dysport in the past.

Frequently asked questions

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Dysport only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.