Xeomin Botox Alternative Receives FDA Approval

Botox continues to be one of the most sought-after anti aging procedures, and many Americans pay upward of $300 to $400 per injection to get rid of unwanted lines and wrinkles. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has now approved the drug Xeomin that offers similar benefits as Botox and may now be a new competitor in the injectables market.

Xeomin is similar to Botox in composition, and was initially approved for the treatment of cervical dystonia and blepharospasm. The compound can be injected into the skin to stop muscle spasms, and may be effective for reducing nerve impulses and in several parts of the face. Xeomin does differ from Botox in some ways. It does not require refrigeration before use, and the protocol for injecting the compounds is simpler.

Even though Xeomin is very similar to Botox in its composition and the results it can produce, it has not been approved for cosmetic use in the United States. It will still need to undergo testing and trials before it will be available on the market, but some physicians may soon be able to offer it as an off-label procedure.

Xeomin was launched in the United Kingdom in 2008, and is the third botulinum toxin type A available in the UK. It is made from purified Type A neurotoxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum and proteins are removed from the compound through a purification process. It is only available by prescription in the UK, and can only be administered by trained members of the medical profession. Some people may not be good candidates for treatment.

Patients who have generalized anxiety disorders of muscle activity, those who are taking aminoglycoside antibiotics, pregnant or lactating women, and those who have bleeding disorders cannot have Xeomin injections.