Triple-Blind, Prospective, Internally Controlled Comparative Study Between AbobotulinumtoxinA and OnabotulinumtoxinA for the Treatment of Facial Rhytids

INTRODUCTION: OnabotulinumtoxinA (ONA; Botox, Allergan, Irvine, CA) was discovered for cosmetic use in the mid-1980s for which it was FDA approved in April 2002. AbobotulinumtoxinA (ABO; Dysport, Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc, Montreal, Quebec) was FDA approved in April 2009 for therapeutic and esthetic uses. The most recent studies make a comparison between the two formulations; however, information is still lacking in comparison studies. In this study, we compare efficacy and safety of a single treatment of two preparations of botulinum toxin A in patients with moderate to severe rhytids in the glabellar and crow’s feet areas. METHODS: A total of 85 patients with moderate to severe wrinkles in either the glabellar or crow’s feet area, or both, were given a single injection on day 0, with ABO and ONA injected on opposite sides of the face. Follow-up assessments were done at 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 4 months, and 5 months. The study end points were onset of action, change in degree of wrinkles, patient satisfaction, duration of effect, and adverse effects. RESULTS: Results of onset of improvement with ABO vs. ONA in the glabellar and crow’s feet regions show higher percentage of patients with earlier onset improvement with ABO. Evaluator assessment showed ABO lasted longer after 3 months in a significant number of patients in both areas, 83% with ABO vs. 48% with ONA at 4 months in the glabellar area, and 65% with ABO vs. 47% with ONA at 4 months in the crow’s feet area. CONCLUSION: Time to improvement showed earlier onset and longer duration of improvement in a higher percentage of individuals with ABO when compared with ONA. ABO provides a safe and effective alternative in a dose ratio of 2.5:1 and 3:1 in the glabellar and crow’s feet area, respectively.