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Compare Xeomin vs. Botox

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA) and Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) are both injectable treatments that treat several conditions such as eye twitching and muscle spasms. Xeomin is also approved for wrinkles, as is Botox Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA). Botox Cosmetic shows results within 1 to 2 days and lasts up to 4 months, whereas Xeomin takes about 7 days to show effects, lasting 3 to 4 months. One major difference is that Xeomin doesn't contain additives, so it might be a good option if Botox Cosmetic doesn’t work for you. Both require repeat injections and can cause side effects like droopy eyelids and muscle weakness.

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Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA)
Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA)
Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA)
Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA)

Summary of Xeomin vs. Botox

Summary for Neuromuscular blocker
Prescription only

Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA) is an injectable medication used to treat many movement problems, drooling, and frown lines, but it can have dangerous side effects if it spreads to areas outside of the injection. It's typically administered by a healthcare provider.

Summary for Neuromuscular blocker
Prescription only

Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) is used for many movement problems, bladder problems, and headache prevention, but it can have dangerous side effects if it spreads to areas outside of the injection area. It's only available as an injection that's administered by a healthcare provider.

Indications of Xeomin vs. Botox

Indications for
•Long-term excessive drooling (sialorrhea) in people 2 years and older
•Arm spasms in people 2 years and older
•Uncontrollable neck spasms (cervical dystonia) in adults
•Uncontrollable eye twitching (blepharospasm) in adults
•Frown lines in adults
Indications for
•Overactive bladder (OAB) in adults
•Loss of bladder control due to nerve problems in people 5 years and older
•Headache prevention in adults with long-term migraine (headaches lasting 4 hours or longer for 15 or more days per month)
•Muscle spasms in people 2 years and older
•Neck spasms in adults
•Excessive armpit sweating in adults
•Eyelid twitching in people 12 years and older
•Crossed eyes in people 12 years and older

Pros and Cons of Xeomin vs. Botox

Pros and Const for Neuromuscular blocker
Pros
•Works well to treat many different movement problems and frown lines
•Injected directly into the affected muscles
•Can see improvement in your condition within 7 days
•Effects typically last 3 to 4 months after each treatment
Cons
•Needs to be injected by a healthcare provider
•Injections can be uncomfortable
•Requires repeat injections since effects wear off over time
•Has a risk of swallowing, speaking, or breathing problems
•Brand only, so might be expensive
Pros and Const for Neuromuscular blocker
Pros
•Works well to treat and prevent many different conditions
•Might be a good option when other treatments have failed
•Injected directly into the affected area(s)
•Effects can last many weeks or even months
Cons
•Needs to be injected by a healthcare provider
•Injections can be uncomfortable
•Has serious risks if the toxin spreads to other parts of your body
•Brand only, so might be expensive

Common Side Effects of Xeomin vs. Botox

Common Side Effects for

Excessive drooling:

•Need for tooth removal (5% in adults)
•Dry mouth (4% in adults)
•Diarrhea (4% in adults)
•High blood pressure (4% in adults)
•Fall (3% in adults)
•Bronchitis (3% in adults, 1% in children)
•Trouble speaking (3% in adults)
•Back pain (3% in adults)
•Dry eye (3% in adults)

Arm spasms:

•Seizure (3% in adults)
•Nose and throat infection (2% in adults, 3-6% in children)
•Bronchitis (2-3% in children)

Neck spasms:

•Trouble swallowing (13-18%)
•Nervous system problems (16-17%)
•Neck pain (7-15%)
•Infections (13-14%)
•Breathing problems (10-13%)
•Muscle weakness (7-11%)
•Pain at injection site (4-9%)
•Muscle or bone pain (4-7%)

Eye twitching:

•Drooping eyelid (19%)
•Dry eye (16%)
•Dry mouth (16%)
•Vision changes (e.g., blurred vision, 12%)
•Injection site reaction (11%)
•Diarrhea (8%)
•Headache (7%)
•Nose and throat infection (5%)
•Respiratory tract infection (5%)
•Shortness of breath (5%)

Frown lines:

•Headache (5%)
Common Side Effects for

OAB

•Urinary tract infection (UTI, 18%)
•Painful urination (9%)
•Difficulty passing urine (6%)

Loss of bladder control

•Urinary tract infection (UTI, 24-26% in adults, 7% in children)
•Urine left in bladder (17% in adults)
•Difficulty passing urine (15-17% in adults)
•Bacteria in urine (9% in adults, 20% in children)
•White blood cells in urine (7% in children)
•Painful urination (5% in adults)

Migraine prevention in adults

•Neck pain (9%)
•Headache (5%)

^*Not a comprehensive list of side effects, as they vary depending on the condition you have. Refer to the source below for more details.^

Warnings of Xeomin vs. Botox

Common Side Effects for
•Spread of toxin effects
•Difficulty swallowing or breathing
•Eye problems due to reduced blinking
•Worsening of glaucoma
•Drooping eyelids
Common Side Effects for
•Spread of toxin effects
•Serious allergic reaction
•Higher risk of side effects
•Difficulty swallowing or breathing
•Reduced blinking and eye bleeding
•Abnormal overreaction of your nervous system (autonomic dysreflexia)
•Higher risk of urinary tract infections (UTI) and trouble urinating (urinary retention)

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