abobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport)

Skip to the navigation

Pronunciation: A boe BOT ue LYE num TOX in A

Brand: Dysport

What is the most important information I should know about Dysport?

You should not receive this medicine 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.

The botulinum toxin contained in Dysport can spread to other body areas beyond where it was injected. This can cause serious life-threatening side effects.

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 a botulinum toxin injection.

What is abobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport)?

AbobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport), also called botulinum toxin type A, 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 to treat cervical dystonia (severe spasms in the neck muscles). Dysport is also used to treat muscle spasms (stiffness) in the upper limbs (elbows, wrists, fingers) or lower limbs (ankles, toes).

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

Dysport may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before I receive Dysport?

You should not receive this medicine 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. Tell your doctor if you have ever had a side effect after receiving a botulinum toxin in the past

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

  • amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or "Lou Gehrig's disease");
  • myasthenia gravis;
  • Lambert-Eaton syndrome;
  • a breathing disorder such as asthma or emphysema;
  • problems with swallowing;
  • facial muscle weakness (droopy eyelids, weak forehead, trouble raising your eyebrows);
  • a change in the normal appearance of your face;
  • a seizure disorder;
  • bleeding problems;
  • heart disease;
  • diabetes;
  • if you have had or plan to have surgery (especially on your face); or
  • if you have ever received other botulinum toxin injections such as Botox, Myobloc, or Xeomin (especially in the last 4 months).

Dysport is made from human plasma (part of the blood) which may contain viruses and other infectious agents. Donated plasma is tested and treated to reduce the risk of it containing infectious agents, but there is still a small possibility it could transmit disease. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medication.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It is not known whether Dysport passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Dysport is generally not used in children. However, this medicine may be used to treat lower limb muscle stiffness in children as young as 2 years old.

How is Dysport given?

This medication is injected into a muscle. A doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. Botulinum toxin injections should be given only by a trained medical professional, even when used for cosmetic purposes.

Dysport injections should be spaced at least 3 months apart.

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

The effects of a Dysport injection 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.

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.

Using this medicine 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. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be able to see clearly.

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

What are the possible side effects of Dysport?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: 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, some of which can occur up to several weeks after an injection:

  • trouble breathing, talking, or swallowing;
  • hoarse voice, drooping eyelids;
  • problems with vision;
  • unusual or severe muscle weakness (especially in a body area that was not injected with the medication);
  • loss of bladder control;
  • pain or burning when you urinate, red or pink urine;
  • crusting or drainage from your eyes;
  • severe skin rash or itching;
  • fast, slow, or uneven heartbeats; or
  • chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, general ill feeling.

Common side effects may include:

  • muscle weakness near where the medicine was injected;
  • dizziness, depressed mood;
  • bruising, bleeding, pain, redness, or swelling where the injection was given;
  • headache, muscle pain;
  • fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose;
  • drooping eyelids, dry or puffy eyes;
  • nausea, dry mouth;
  • trouble swallowing; or
  • feeling tired.

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 current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

  • an injected antibiotic -- amikacin, gentamicin, kanamycin, neomycin, paromomycin, streptomycin, tobramycin.

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

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about Dysport (abobotulinumtoxinA).


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

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2017 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 5.01. Revision date: 9/7/2016.

Your use of the content provided in this service indicates that you have read, understood and agree to the End-User License Agreement, which can be accessed by clicking on this link.