Dysport is made with the same ingredient as Botox, botulinum type A, and immobilizes facial muscles to smooth lines and treat wrinkles. There are different potential risks and complications of Dysport, dependent on the location and type of treatment.
Most Common Side Effects
The most common side effects include generalized weakness and fatigue, and slight headaches that may last up to several hours. There may be skin rashes, itching, redness, tenderness, burning and swelling at the site of injection. Bruising can occur, and herbal medications can increase this risk. Muscle weakness and flu-like symptoms have also been reported.
Most of the common side effects were reported to be mild to moderate, and became noticeable usually about one week after treatment and lasted several weeks.
Side Effects from Treatment for a Stroke
Side effects that were reported following treatment of Dysport in the arm after a stroke include dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), dizziness which can lead to accidental falls, weakness and pain in the affected arm and coughing.
Treatment for Facial Spasm
When treatment is given around the eye area, side effects may include drooping of the eyelids that can last for up to 4 weeks, excessive tearing, dry eyes, muscle weakness around the injection site, swollen eyes and visual disturbances.
Treatments for Frown Lines and Contouring of the Mouth
Side effects when treatment is performed in the area of the frown lines and mouth include numbness of the lips, which can impair speech and the ability to smile and bite normally. This symptom can sometimes last for 1 to 5 months.
Injections into the Neck Muscles
With injections into the neck muscles to treat Cercical Dystonia (repetitive contraction of the neck muscles), side effects reported are dry mouth, headaches, dizziness, vision problems, muscle weakness, neck and jaw pain, voice change and dysphagia.
Treatments for Cerebral Palsy
With the injection of Dysport in the calf muscle to treat cerebral palsy, side effects may include weakness of the legs which could cause falling. Other side effects include diarrhea and urinary incontinence.
Additional Information
Some individuals worry about the possibility of botulism. Botulism occurs when there is a large amount of toxin that is ingested from eating food that is contaminated. With patients receiving only 10 to 200 units, this would be highly unlikely.
Any complications that are ongoing or that may be of a more serious nature such as breathing problems, difficulty with swallowing or speech disorders, should be reported and the patient should seek professional medical attention immediately.
Do not rub or massage the area of injection from treatment for at least 24 hours, and follow all of the recommended advice of the physician. Do not hesitate to ask any questions before or after the procedure.
Women who are breastfeeding or pregnant, unless there is a potential risk to the fetus, should not have Dysport treatment, nor persons with a neuromuscular disease. Anyone who has an infection at the proposed area of injection should not consider Dysport.
The lowest dose to be effective should be the only dosage that is used, and frequency and dosage should never be exceeded in order to avoid any serious risks or complications.
The treatment should only be administered by a licensed medical professional who has had training with Dysport.