What is Dysport: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Dysport is a botulinum toxin injection that is very similar to Botox. Both contain a nerve poison called botulinum toxin A, a natural chemical produced by the bacteria responsible for botulism. Botulinum toxin temporarily disables nerves that cause muscles to move. Dysport injections relax muscles in the face to smooth out frown lines in their cosmetic use. As a therapeutic drug, Dysport injections relax muscles. Dysport is always administered by a healthcare professional such as a plastic surgeon or orthopedist.

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Dysport overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Dysport

Generic Names:

  • Botulinum toxin A

Uses:

  • Smooths frown lines in the forehead and treats muscle spasms or neck muscle rigidity and spasms

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Muscle relaxant, neuromuscular blocker, musculoskeletal agent

Forms:

  • Injectable

How it’s taken:

  • By injection

What is Dysport used for?

Dysport is FDA-approved to smooth out forehead frown lines, relieve muscle spasms in children and adults two years of age and older, and treat cervical dystonia, a condition in which neck muscles spasm and grow rigid, causing pain, shaking, or fixed, abnormal neck and head positions.

What form(s) does Dysport come in

  • Injectable

    • 300 units

    • 500 units

What are common Dysport doses?

  • Only a healthcare provider will determine the exact Dysport dose and administer the injection.

  • Botulinum toxin is measured in units. A unit of botulinum toxin is not its weight or volume but its potency at disabling nerves.

  • The more units used, the more potent the injection at disabling nerves. Some conditions require more units for the injections to be successful.

  • Doses may vary based on the severity of the condition and response to treatment.

  • Doses for individual conditions are as follows:

    • To smooth frown lines on the forehead in adults: 50 units per session given in five 10-unit injections

    • To treat spasticity in adults: 500–1,000 units per upper limb and 1,000–1,500 units per lower limb

    • To treat spasticity in children 2 years of age and older: 8–16 units/kg per upper limb and 10–15 units/kg units for lower limbs

    • To treat cervical in adults: 500–1,000 units

Common Dysport prescriptions

  • Dysport
    300unit solution reconstituted

  • Dysport
    500unit solution reconstituted

How to take Dysport

  • Dysport is only injected by a healthcare provider in a clinical setting. Injections are never self-administered.

  • If injections are repeated, the healthcare provider usually will administer them 12 weeks after the last injections.

What to do if you miss a dose of Dysport

  • Doses are administered by a healthcare provider in a clinical setting, so there are no missed doses.

Dysport contraindications

  • Botulinum toxin is not safe for everyone. 

  • The healthcare provider will not give you a Dysport injection if you have a history of allergic reactions to:

    • Botulinum toxin

    • Cow’s milk products

  • The healthcare provider will not inject Dysport into skin that is infected.

Dysport warnings

  • Dysport comes with a Medication Guide that is meant for you to read. It contains important information about side effects, complications, and warnings. Please read this Medication Guide before your injections. Review it before receiving follow-up injections. 

  • In the exams leading up to injections, make sure to tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Also, tell the healthcare provider if you have:

    • Trouble swallowing

    • Trouble breathing

    • Any nerve disorder

    • Any muscle disorder, including ALS, Lambert-Eaton syndrome, or myasthenia gravis

    • Any bleeding problem

    • Diabetes

    • Heart rate or heart rhythm problems

    • Weakness in the muscles being treated

    • Any previous surgery on your face 

    • Plans for future surgery

  • Tell the healthcare provider if you have had any side effects after previous botulinum toxin injections, especially if you experienced dry eye.

  • The effects of this medicine may spread from the body area where the injection was given. This is a serious medical condition called botulism. Symptoms may appear hours to weeks after treatment. You must immediately contact the healthcare provider. Signs of botulism due to a Dysport injection include:

    • Problems swallowing

    • Difficulty breathing

    • Problems speaking or saying words clearly

    • Drooping eyelids

    • Blurred vision

    • Double vision

    • Voice changes, including complete voice loss

    • Urinary incontinence

  • Your healthcare provider will require follow-up visits to determine the effectiveness of the treatment and identify possible side effects. Keep all appointments.

  • This medicine may cause muscle weakness or vision problems. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

  • This medicine is made from donated human blood. Some human blood products have transmitted viruses, although the risk is low because donors and donated blood are both tested for viruses. If you are concerned, talk with your healthcare provider about this risk.

Dysport interactions

  • To avoid potentially hazardous drug interactions, tell the healthcare provider administering the injection about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements you use, particularly:

    • Any botulinum toxin injections you have had (make sure to identify the brand)

    • Any recent treatment with injected antibiotics

    • Muscle relaxants

    • Allergy or cold medicines

    • Sleeping pills

  • Tell other healthcare providers you have had a botulinum toxin injection before they prescribe any new medications.

Dysport side effects

Serious side effects

Talk to a healthcare provider if you notice any signs or symptoms of a possible serious side effect, including:

  • Eye pain or irritation, sensitivity of the eyes to sunlight, trouble seeing, blurred or double vision

  • Dry eye

  • Trouble breathing, speaking, or swallowing, neck pain

  • Unusual weakness in muscles that weren’t treated

  • Loss of bladder control

  • Any other symptom of botulism (see Warnings section above)

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

Less serious side effects of Dysport frown lines treatment

  • Eyelid drooping (can persist for as long as 3 months)

  • Eyelid swelling 

  • Droopy eyebrow

  • Stuffy or runny nose, sore throat

  • Pain, bruising, or swelling at the injection site

  • Upper respiratory tract infection

  • Sinus infection

  • Nausea

  • Blood in the urine

Less serious side effects of Dysport spasticity treatment

  • Muscle weakness

  • Arm or leg pain

  • Falls

Less serious side effects of Dysport cervical dystonia treatment

  • Muscle weakness

  • Dry mouth

  • Pain, bruising, or swelling at the injection site

  • Headache

  • Tiredness

  • Muscle pain

  • Difficulty speaking clearly

  • Difficulty swallowing

  • Eye problems

Sources:

Dysport News & Research

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