What is the new FDA-approved alternative to Botox?

Official answer

by Drugs.com

Daxxify (daxibotulinumtoxinA-lanm) is the first Botox alternative that is free of human albumin or animal-based components, and it was FDA-approved in September 2022. It is also the longest-lasting of all the cosmetic injectable wrinkle treatments, lasting for 6 months in most people and 9 months in some. Daxxify is made by Revance Therapeutics Inc., and the formulation uses a patented, innovative, cell-penetrating peptide technology (called Peptide Exchange Technology) consisting of a man-made 35-amino acid stabilizing excipient with a highly positive charge.

Although Daxxify lasts longer than Botox it is only currently approved to treat glabella lines and adults with cervical dystonia (a rare muscle disorder that causes neck spasms and twisting). Botox Cosmetic has approval to treat frown lines, crow’s feet lines, and forehead lines, and Botox has approval to treat several medical conditions like chronic migraines, specific bladder issues, excessive sweating, and other muscle-related problems.

How often does Daxxify need to be injected?

Daxxify only needs two treatments a year to give year-long results, because the average duration of effect is six months. In some people, Daxxify lasts for 9 months. Botox only lasts for 3 to 4 months. Clinical trials reported that 80 percent of people using Daxxify had no or minimally visible facial wrinkles after four months, with approximately 50% with little evidence of wrinkles at six months.

What is Daxxify FDA-approved for?

Currently, Daxxify is only FDA-approved to treat glabella lines – the short vertical skin lines that appear between the eyebrows and above the nose. These are usually the first wrinkles to appear on the forehead.

What is the recommended dosage for Daxxify?

Daxxify is usually given as 5 equal intramuscular injections of 8 units each (two injections into each corrugator muscle and one into the procerus muscle) for a total recommended dose of 40 units.

What are the most common side effects of Daxxify?

The most commonly observed adverse reactions reported with Daxiffy are:

What does Daxxify cost?

Because Daxxify lasts longer it is likely to cost around 50% more than what you are currently paying for Botox, depending on your provider and where you are located. So, if your current cost for a Botox treatment sits between $300 and $600, expect to pay around $450 to $900 for Daxxify treatment.

How does Daxxify work?

Daxxify works similarly to Botox, and that is by preventing the release of acetylcholine by blocking cholinergic transmission at the neuromuscular junction. The critical difference between Daxxify and Botox is that Daxxify has been formulated with a proprietary stabilizing excipient peptide called RTP004, instead of serum albumin. This has been shown to enhance the binding of Daxxify to the nerve surface which enhances how much is taken up by the nerve, increasing the length of time it works for.