Efficacy and Safety of OnabotulinumtoxinA Treatment of Forehead Lines: A Multicenter, Randomized, Dose-Ranging Controlled Trial

Dermatol Surg. 2016 Mar;42(3):410-9. doi: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000000626.

Abstract

Background: Various onabotulinumtoxinA doses are effective in treating forehead lines (FHL), with a trend toward lower doses.

Objective: To evaluate efficacy and safety of onabotulinumtoxinA dose-ranging treatment of FHL when the frontalis area and glabellar complex are treated together.

Materials and methods: Adults with moderate-to-severe FHL received onabotulinumtoxinA 40 U (FHL, 20 U; glabellar lines [GL], 20 U), 30 U (FHL, 10 U; GL, 20 U), or placebo. Response was assessed at weeks 1, 2, day 30, and monthly to day 180. Coprimary efficacy end points were investigator- and subject-assessed Facial Wrinkle Scale scores of none or mild (day 30). Patient-reported outcomes, onset/duration of effect, and adverse events (AEs) were evaluated.

Results: Responder rates (investigator/subject, respectively) were 40-U group, 91.2%/89.5%; 30-U group, 86.4%/81.4%; placebo, 1.7%/5.1%. OnabotulinumtoxinA resulted in significantly greater responder rates than placebo (p < .001). Adverse events were mild to moderate and similar between groups (most common AEs: nasopharyngitis [4.6%] and headache [4.0%]).

Conclusion: Treatment of FHL with onabotulinumtoxinA 40 and 30 U (in frontalis and glabellar complex muscles) was tolerable, effective, and sustained. Both doses significantly reduced FHL severity; however, the 40-U dose demonstrated a trend toward greater sustained benefit and longer duration of effect versus the 30-U dose, with similar AE rates.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholine Release Inhibitors / administration & dosage*
  • Acetylcholine Release Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Adult
  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A / administration & dosage*
  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A / adverse effects
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Forehead
  • Headache / chemically induced
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nasopharyngitis / chemically induced
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Plasma Skin Regeneration / methods
  • Self Concept
  • Skin Aging / drug effects*
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Acetylcholine Release Inhibitors
  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A