Xeomin, Botox preferred for different reasons among blepharospasm patients

This retrospective study found that patients who prefer incobotulinumtoxinA (Xeomin) over onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) for the treatment of benign essential blepharospasm had a statistically significant shorter treatment interval and thought it was more effective, while those who preferred Botox thought it had a longer duration.

This is believed to be the first study comparing patient-reported treatment outcomes and preferences in blepharospasm patients treated with each of these drugs.

The authors reviewed the records of 50 blepharospasm patients treated with Botox who were switched to Xeomin as an alternative drug. Their mean age was 64.9 years and 78 percent were women. They were given the choice at follow-up to continue with Xeomin injections or switch back to Botox.

Fifty-two percent preferred Xeomin and forty-eight percent preferred Botox. Most frequently, those who preferred Xeomin believed it was “more effective” (N = 10, 29 percent), whereas those who preferred Botox said had a “longer duration” (N = 11, 37 percent).

The mean treatment interval was 13 weeks among those who preferred Botox, compared to 10.2 weeks in those who preferred Xeomin. There was no statistical difference when comparing mean disease duration, number of total treatments and number of units/treatment between the two groups.

The study’s results trend toward preference for Xeomin among patients who are older, have had blepharospasm for longer, have used more therapies and use more units per therapy. The authors say the results can be used when counseling both newly diagnosed and long-standing blepharospasm patients regarding their therapeutic options.