An internally controlled, double-blind comparison of the efficacy of onabotulinumtoxinA and abobotulinumtoxinA.

OBJECTIVE: To compare 2 commercially available botulinum neuromodulators in a randomized, double-blind, split-face study.

METHODS: Ninety patients were treated with 10 U of onabotulinumtoxinA and 30 U of abobotulinumtoxinA for the treatment of lateral orbital rhytids. Patients were assessed live with a validated 5-point photographic scale prior to treatment and at 30 days. Patients were also photographed at each visit.

RESULTS: AbobotulinumtoxinA demonstrated a statistically significant advantage compared with onabotulinumtoxinA in the treatment of lateral orbital rhytids at maximal contraction, as evaluated independently by the investigator (P = .01) and patient (P = .03). AbobotulinumtoxinA was also favored by the patient over onabotulinumtoxinA 67% of the time. While abobotulinumtoxinA seemed to treat lateral orbital rhytids better at rest, as evidenced by the data and photographs, this difference was not statistically significant (P = .42).

CONCLUSIONS: AbobotulinumtoxinA offers superior efficacy in the treatment of lateral orbital rhytids compared with onabotulinumtoxinA. Further studies are needed to compare the 2 products in different muscle groups and for other indications.