Medication Search: Dysport Therapeutic

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Dysport Therapeutic

Common Name:

botulinum toxin type A (Dysport)

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How does this medication work? What will it do for me?

Botulinum toxin belongs to the class of medications called neuromuscular paralytic agents. It blocks the nerves that are responsible for muscle activity. For cosmetic purposes, it can be used to smooth out facial lines and wrinkles, such as those that form between the eyebrows, on the forehead, and around the eyes (crow’s feet). It gives skin a smoother appearance by relaxing the muscles in the area where it was injected. It may also be used to treat cervical dystonia, also known as spasmodic torticollis, a condition in which the muscles of the neck stay in a state of contraction, and to treat focal spasticity of the upper and lower limbs. This medication is also used for children 2 years of age and older to treat upper and lower limb spasticity.

This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are receiving this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop receiving this medication without consulting your doctor.

What form(s) does this medication come in?

300 units
Each sterile vial contains 300 units of lyophilized abobotulinumtoxinA. Nonmedicinal ingredients: human serum albumin and lactose.

500 units
Each sterile vial contains 500 units of lyophilized abobotulinumtoxinA. Nonmedicinal ingredients: human serum albumin and lactose.

How should I use this medication?

The dose of medication required depends on the area being treated and individual circumstances.

Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are receiving the medication without consulting your doctor.

Botulinum toxin is available in injectable form. The injection will be given into a muscle by a qualified health care professional.

It is important to receive this medication exactly as recommended by your doctor. If you miss an appointment to receive botulinum toxin, contact your doctor as soon as possible to reschedule your appointment. It is very important to keep your appointments for treatment and follow-up.

Before mixing, this medication is stored in the refrigerator and protected from light. Once mixed, it can be stored for up to 24 hours in the refrigerator.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Who should NOT take this medication?

Do not use botulinum toxin type A (Dysport) if you:

  • are allergic to botulinum toxin or to any of the ingredients of the medication
  • are allergic to cow’s milk protein
  • have an infection at the site the injection is to be given in
  • have myasthenia gravis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Eaton Lambert syndrome

What side effects are possible with this medication?

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent. The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

  • difficulty speaking
  • dry mouth
  • face pain
  • falls
  • flu-like illness
  • general feeling of being unwell
  • headache
  • muscle aches
  • muscle weakness nausea
  • neck pain
  • pain in the extremities
  • pain, tenderness or bruising, burning, swelling, or stinging at the injection site
  • redness of the skin
  • stuffy nose

Although most of the side effects listed below don’t happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not check with your doctor or seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

  • abnormal heart rhythm
  • blurred or decreased vision
  • burning or prickling sensation
  • facial paralysis
  • itchy skin
  • rash

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

  • breathing problems
  • difficulty swallowing
  • speech problems
  • symptoms of a severe allergic reaction (e.g., hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat or mouth)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.

Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.

Distant toxin spread: Very rarely, this medication may spread to other parts of the body other than where it was injected, leading to muscle weakness, difficulty swallowing, pneumonia, speech difficulties, and breathing problems. Distant toxin spread can be fatal. If you develop severe difficulty swallowing, speaking, or breathing while using this medication, contact your doctor immediately. If you have pre-existing swallowing, breathing, or nerve problems, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Heart problems: There have been rare reports of heart problems such as irregular heart rhythms and heart attack following injection of this medication. If you have heart disease, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Other medical conditions: People with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, with disorders that produce a depletion of acetylcholine, or disorders that produce peripheral neuromuscular dysfunction should discuss with their doctor how this medication may affect their medical condition, how their medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Pregnancy: This medication should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the mother and unborn baby. If you become pregnant while using this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if this medication passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are using this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of this medication have not been established for children under the age of 18, except for the treatment of upper or lower limb spasticity for children over the age of 2 years.

What other drugs could interact with this medication?

There may be an interaction between botulinum toxin type A (Dysport) and any of the following:

  • aclidinium
  • aminoglycoside antibiotics (e.g., gentamicin, neomycin, tobramycin, streptomycin)
  • amoxapine
  • antihistamines (e.g., brompheniramine, diphenhydramine)
  • antipsychotics (e.g. clozapine, olanzapine, risperidone)
  • atropine
  • azelastine
  • belladonna
  • benztropine
  • clidinium
  • darifenacin
  • disopyramide
  • flavoxate
  • glycopyrrolate
  • ipratropium
  • moclobemide
  • monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs; e.g., moclobemide, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine)
  • muscle relaxants (e.g. cyclobenzaprine, orphenadrine)
  • oxybutynin
  • quinidine
  • scopolamine
  • solifenacin
  • tiotropium
  • tolterodine
  • tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, clomipramine, imipramine)
  • trospium
  • umeclidinium

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

  • stop taking one of the medications,
  • change one of the medications to another,
  • change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
  • leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/Dysport-Therapeutic

Last Updated: 08/12/2024