Switchover study from Botox to Xeomin for facial dystonia
Reviewed by Ivan Yip

This study carried out in the UK compared the clinical effectiveness and efficiency of switching patients from Botox® injections to Xeomin®. This was carried out in 20 essential blepharospasm, 12 hemifacial spasm and six aberrant facial nerve regeneration patients. Patients were masked and had three Botox® injections compared to three subsequent Xeomin® injections of the same unit dose. Xeomin® was equivalent to Botox® in effectiveness and statistically subjectively better in hemifacial spasm. Patients felt the duration of maximal effect was one week longer for Xeomin®. Side-effect profile was also similar. Xeomin® is 33% cheaper per unit and does not require refrigeration. This was an interesting study as it directly compared these patients with a number of injections over several years. From personal experience at several different NHS trusts where botulinum toxin can vary between clinics, this article provides evidence to obtain a consistent supply of one brand.

Switchover study of onabotulinumtoxinA to incobotulinumtoxinA for facial dystonia.
Bladen J, Favor M, Litwin A, Malhotra R.
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL OPHTHALMOLOGY
2020;48:1146-51.