Comparative evaluation of the safety and efficacy of botulinum toxin type A and treating moderate-to-severe topical creams for glabellar rhytids

BACKGROUND Several nonprescription products purport similar or better outcomes than botulinum toxin type A (Botox (R) Cosmetic) for treating wrinkles, but these have not been documented in comparative clinical trials. Patients spend millions of dollars annually on the topical products, yet there are, to date, no data to support any of the claims made. OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin type A to placebo and three topical products in treating moderate-to-severe glabellar lines. METHODS This single-center, randomized, investigator-blinded, parallel study of 77 female subjects comprised five treatment groups: botulinum toxin type A, placebo injection, StriVectin-SD (R), Wrinkle Relax (TM), and HydroDerm (TM). Baseline and follow-up visits (weeks 4, 8, and 12) assessed safety and key efficacy measures: blinded investigator assessment of glabellar line severity on the Facial Wrinkle Scale (FWS); subjects' global assessment of overall change in appearance; subject ratings of glabellar-related self-perception pre- and post-treatment and satisfaction with treatment. RESULTS Botulinum toxin type A treatment consistently resulted in statistically significant reductions in wrinkle severity on the FWS than any comparator (p <.001). Statistically significant improvements were similarly observed for subject-reported outcomes and satisfaction with botulinum toxin type A treatment, whereas treatment with any of the three topical creams did not result in a significant difference from placebo. Three adverse events occurred in three subjects who received StriVectin-SD. CONCLUSION Botulinum toxin type A provided significantly greater efficacy and patient satisfaction in the treatment of glabellar frown lines than StriVectin-SD, Wrinkle Relax, and HydroDerm, and in the objective measurements utilized, none of the topical preparations were better than Botox.