Dysport (At Least) Equivalent to Botox (?!)

Dysport is the new Botox.  On April 30, 2009, Dysport became the second botulinum neurotoxin FDA-approved for cosmetic use.  I received my first shipment just 1 week ago, and here are my initial impressions after using Dysport on 10 patients in Ventura, California:

• Dysport seems to work faster than Botox.  Dysport appears to kick in within 1-2 days, while Botox doesn't start to work for 3-4 days.  For any patient who shows up to my office on Thursday or Friday and who expects to have fewer wrinkles for her party on Saturday night, Dysport may be the better option.
• Although I have limited experience with the product, I have had no complications with Dysport:  no allergies, no droopy eyelids, and no excessive "spread."
• Dysport is helping to hold down the price.  Every year, I have had to raise my prices for Botox, because its manufacturer (Allergan) raises its prices.  This year, the launch of Dysport forced Allergan to hold its prices steady.  So, competition is a good thing!  Botox will not increase in price this year, and equivalent amounts of Dysport should cost the same.

So far, I am nothing but positive about Dysport.  However, questions remain...

• Will Dysport last longer than Botox?  (lasting for 4 months rather than 3-4 months)
• Will Dysport's safety profile remain as enviable as Botox's?  (I have NEVER had a major complication with Botox, such as an allergy or infection.)
• What are the optimum dosages of Dysport?  (It took years to figure out how best to dose Botox at the glabella, crow's feet, forehead, etc.  Should I just multiply those numbers of units by 2.5 to obtain the appropriate dosages of Dysport??)

More on these issues over the next few months as I gain more experience with Dysport.