Xeomin is a new neurotoxin (this is the name of the class of drugs that BOTOX® falls under) that has recently received FDA approval. The new product is called Xeomin, and is made by Merz, a company out of Germany. The mechanism of action of the new injectable drug is essentially the same as the other products on the market. This is the third neurotoxin to be approved in the United States, and joins BOTOX® Cosmetic and Dysport. Although Xeomin is not slated for nationwide distribution until the Spring of 2012, it is available in my office in limited supply now. We started using this product in late 2011, and find it very similar in all respects to BOTOX® Cosmetic and Dysport. It is slightly less expensive than the other two products, which for the consumer is a very good thing. I anticipate that Xeomin will find its place in the market and will ultimately be a successful product for relaxation of the lines on the forehead, crows feet and frown lines.
Dr. B. Barber
First there was Botox®, then there was Dysport™, and now there is Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved this new botulinum toxin type A product to treat severe frown lines or "11's" between the eyebrows. Xeomin was already FDA approved for use in adults with cervical dystonia and blepharospasm. Cervical dystonia is characterized by abnormal neck pain and movements, and blepharospasm is marked by abnormal, involuntary blinking or spasm of the eyelids. Xeomin is manufactured by Merz Pharmaceuticals, and has been used by more than 84,000 people worldwide. It is now approved for use in 20 countries.
Like other drugs in this category, Xeomin works by paralyzing wrinkles. It blocks the signals from the nerves to the muscles. As a result, the targeted muscle cannot contract.
XEOMIN is a botulinum toxin that is used to treat adults with cervical dystonia and blepharospasm. It has been used around the world since 2005 and was introduced to the US market in 2010 by Merz Pharmaceuticals, LLC.
XEOMIN is a prescription medicine that is injected into muscles and used:
- To treat adults with cervical dystonia to decrease the severity of abnormal head position and neck pain
- To treat abnormal spasm of the eyelids (blepharospasm) in adults who have had prior treatment with onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox®)
“What is botulinum toxin?”
Botulinum toxin is a naturally occurring protein produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. Botulinum toxin type A—the active ingredient in XEOMIN—is produced commercially from C. botulinum serotype A.
“How does XEOMIN work?”
XEOMIN is injected into muscles to decrease their activity. XEOMIN blocks the release of a chemical messenger—acetylcholine—that conveys the signal from nerve terminals and causes muscle fibers to contract. Not all terminals are affected by botulinum toxin, so the muscles can still contract, just less forcefully. This allows the muscles to contract more normally.
“Are all botulinum toxin products the same?”
Not all botulinum toxin products are the same. This is reflected in the unique names for each product. The dose of XEOMIN may be different from other botulinum toxin products.
“How is XEOMIN made?”
In nature, C. botulinum produces the toxin in association with accessory proteins (toxin complex). Merz takes the toxin complex and employs a proprietary manufacturing process that isolates the therapeutic component and removes the accessory proteins to produce XEOMIN.
