Comparison of Two Commercial Preparations of Botulinum Toxin Type A

The objective of this study is to compare the action halos of the botulinum toxins (Dysport® and Botox®) using two equivalence-ratios and to gather supportive information, such as more detailed data on the effectiveness in reduction of wrinkles and duration of action on the upper part of the face of both products, trough scales and photographs evaluations.

This was a monocentric, prospective, randomized and double-blind study. Fifty nine female patients, presenting with moderate to severe forehead wrinkles, with sweating ability who had never undergone previous BoNT-A injections were enrolled. There were two randomizations, one related to the dose-equivalence (2:1U and 2.5:1U), both reconstituted in the same volume of 0.02 mL per point and another related to the forehead side (left or right) for application of the tested drugs. Baseline, twenty-eight and 112 days later, clinical and photographic assessments, Minor´s test, and electromyographic (EMG) evaluations were performed.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Written Informed Consent (Annex 1)
2. Female
3. Subjects agreeing to take part in all procedures of the study, including botulinum toxin applications, Minor's test, measurement of Evoked Potentials, photographs, etc.), after being fully informed on the objectives and nature of the investigations
4. Subjects aged between 18 and 60 years
5. Subjects presenting with moderate to severe wrinkles on the forehead under maximum voluntary contraction of the m. frontalis
6. Subjects with positive Minor's test showing sweating on the forehead in standardized conditions described in Annex 2

   \*The Minor's Test will be the last inclusion criterion to be evaluated. Only these patients eligible according to the other inclusion criteria will undergo the Minor's Test to evaluate their sweating on the forehead. The cut off point is a positive Minor's Test (Level +1) - only subjects with Minor's Test (Level +1) will be recruited in the study (Annex 2).
7. Medical history and physical examination which, based on the investigator's opinion, do not prevent the patient from taking part in the study and use the products under investigation
8. Subjects of childbearing age should present a negative urine pregnancy test at baseline and should be using an effective contraceptive method;
9. Availability of the patient throughout the duration of the study (112 days)
10. Subject agrees not to undergo other cosmetic or dermatological procedures during the study
11. Subjects with sufficient schooling and awareness to enable them to cooperate to the degree required by this protocol

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Pregnant women or women intending to become pregnant in the next 4 months after screening for eligibility
2. Subjects who are lactating
3. Subjects having undergone botulinum toxin treatment within the last 6 months
4. Subjects participating in other clinical trials
5. Any prior surgery affecting the frontalis and/or orbicularis muscles, prior blepharoplasty or brow lift
6. Any prior cosmetic procedures, including fillers, or scars that may interfere with the study results
7. Subjects presenting fronto-parietal alopecia according to the Norwood-Hamilton classification
8. Subjects with neoplastic, muscular or neurological diseases
9. Subjects using aminoglycoside and penicillamine antibiotics, quinine and Ca2+ channel blockers
10. Subjects with inflammation or active infection in the area to be injected
11. Subjects presenting evident facial asymmetry
12. Subjects with a history of adverse effects, such as sensitivity to the components of the formula, ptosis or any other adverse effect, which in the investigator's opinion should prevent the patient from participating in the study
13. Subjects presenting myasthenia gravis, Eaton-Lambert Syndrome and motor neuron diseases
14. Subjects with coagulation disorders or using anticoagulants
15. Subjects with known systemic autoimmune diseases
16. Subjects with a history of medical treatment non-adherence or showing unwillingness to adhere to the study protocol
17. Any condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, can compromise the evaluation of the study