In this fight against aging, doctors now have a new tool at hand, Dysport. Approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for therapeutic and aesthetic uses, it is made from the same botulinum toxin Type A as Botox. Dysport receives a relatively weaker immune response from the body since it has fewer numbers of proteins surrounding the toxin. It is thus the ideal choice for patients who have developed antibodies to Botox. The discovery of the toxin botulinum however, has an interesting history behind it. In the 1820’s, Dr. Justinus Kerner, a German physician conducted some experiments to find out the reason for the deaths of a few people who had eaten sausages. It was found to have been caused by a toxin released by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. It was later discovered that this toxin was capable of blocking neuromuscular transmission. Purified botulinum toxin type A was synthesized in the 1950’s and it was discovered that it could relax muscles temporarily if given in small doses. This discovery paved the way for its use in cosmetic treatment, mostly on actors and politicians. Dysport was first developed in the early 90’s in the UK for the treatment of muscle spasms. It is a neuromuscular blocking agent for the treatment of cervical dystonia. It was discovered much later that Dysport could remove wrinkles and facial creases as well.

Dysport too, however, has a number of side effects. These include headache, soreness in the throat, pain, skin reaction, respiratory tract infection, swelling and drooping of the eyelid, sinus inflammation and nausea. Most of these side effects are associated with Botox as well. Dysport however, acts much quickly than Botox. It kicks in within a couple of days while Botox takes a minimum of five days to act. Also, with initial reports suggesting that it lasts much longer and costs around 1/3rd the cost of Botox, Dysport seems to have the upper hand.