Botox Faces Upcoming Competition
Up until now, Botox has been the only FDA approved antiwrinkle therapy and reportedly made more than $1 billion in sales world-wide last year. According to the American Society for Plastic Surgeons, Botox shots are the most-frequently performed cosmetic procedure and an estimated four million Americans received the injections in 2006 alone. However, a new antiwrinkle method is quickly sneaking its way into our cosmetic world and researchers say that the maker’s of Botox, Allergan Inc., should be prepared for their competition.
New Way to Fight Wrinkles
Reports claim that Medicis Pharmaceutical Corp., is getting ready to submit an application to the FDA to get their antiwrinkle product, Reloxin, approved. Doctors are estimating that it may be less than a year until Botox’s competition starts showing up in dermatologists’ offices.
Physicians are hoping that Reloxin will be better priced than Botox, whose price is continuing to rise.
“Many dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons are excited about the possibilities for a lower-priced form of botulinum toxin,” says Joel Schlessinger, a dermatologist in Nebraska.
As of now, patients are paying an estimated $500 for Botox injections, which reportedly last for about four months.
Reloxin Trial Conducted
At a recent dermatology meeting in Las Vegas, Dr. Schlessinger spoke about Reloxin to a trial of 300 patients who were assigned to receive either the drug or a placebo. The most common side effect the researchers found with Reloxin was headaches, which reportedly affected 11 percent of the patients.
“Botox is more of a household name than Restylane but, we’re in the middle of a vanity boom so all of the companies involved should win,” says David Steinberg, an analyst at Deutsche Bank AG.
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January 3rd, 2008 at 12:07 pm
need to know what exactly is reloxin. and how long does the nonwrincke affect last. and what areas of human body can be injected. and approx.cost please
thanks
January 31st, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Hi Monique!
We appreciate your inquiries, but if you want specific information about a product I would suggest consulting a board certified plastic surgeon in your area.
Thank you!
March 28th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
I understand there may be an alternative to injecting a botulinum toxin to reduce and/or eliminate wrinkles. A friend was telling me about a compnay, Advance Cosmetic Intervention, out of Colorado that is producing a machine that uses RF energy to abliterate the nerves that cause wrinkles. Additionally, the procedure may last upto 18 months. Has anyone else heard of this procedure or company?
If this is true, it seems as if this procedure would be far more safer then injecting a toxin into a person.