Do different botulinum toxins have the same “units” of measurement?

Written By Michael Lum


No, the units of measurement are not the same. You cannot compare or convert units between different products because units are like unique fingerprints that represent the potency of each product. Each product is formulated and tested differently, so their units cannot be compared, just like you cannot compare two fingerprints.

To better understand dosing, you can consider the amount of active ingredient (botulinum toxin type A) in nanograms that a product contains.

BOTOX® Cosmetic

  • Approved frown line dose: 20 Units

  • Amount of active ingredient: 0.18 nanograms

DYSPORT®

  • Approved frown line dose: 50 Units

  • Amount of active ingredient: 0.27 nanograms

DAXXIFY®

  • Approved frown line dose: 40 Units

  • Amount of active ingredient: 0.18 nanograms

Even though the number of Units may differ, Dysport® is not 2.5 times the dose of BOTOX® Cosmetic, and DAXXIFY® is not twice the dose of BOTOX® Cosmetic.

Michael Lum
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