What is XEOMIN?
XEOMIN (zeo-min) is a prescription neurotoxin medicine that is injected into muscles and used to treat adults with blepharospasm (who have been previously treated with Botox® [onabotulinumtoxinA]), upper limb spasticity, or cervical dystonia. The FDA approved XEOMIN in 2015 for use in adult upper limb spasticity patients and in 2010 for use in adult cervical dystonia, and blepharospasm patients. The active ingredient in XEOMIN is a type of botulinum toxin called incobotulinumtoxinA.
Where is XEOMIN approved?
XEOMIN has been FDA approved for use in the United States in adults with cervical dystonia or blepharospasm since 2010 and for the treatment of upper limb spasticity in adults since 2015. It has also been approved since 2005 in Europe for cervical dystonia and blepharospasm and since 2009 for upper limb spasticity in adults. XEOMIN has been approved in Canada for all three disorders since 2009. XEOMIN is currently available in 49 countries worldwide. More than one million adult patients around the world have been treated with XEOMIN.
Who is XEOMIN for?
XEOMIN is a prescription medicine that is injected into muscles and used to treat:
• increased muscle stiffness in the arm of adults with upper limb spasticity
• abnormal head position and neck pain in adults with cervical dystonia (CD)
• abnormal spasm of the eyelids (blepharospasm) in adults who have had prior treatment with onabotulinumtoxinA (BOTOX®)
How is XEOMIN made?
Merz, the maker of XEOMIN, uses a proprietary manufacturing process to remove accessory proteins from botulinum toxin type A. Neither the presence nor the absence of accessory proteins has been proven to be clinically significant in treatment.
What is botulinum toxin type A?
Botulinum toxin type A is a neurotoxin used to treat the symptoms of adult upper limb spasticity, cervical dystonia, and blepharospasm.1 When injected into muscles, this neurotoxin helps relax them by blocking signals from the nerves that can cause the muscles to spasm.
Can I switch to XEOMIN from my existing therapy for adult upper limb spasticity, cervical dystonia, or blepharospasm?
Yes, you can switch. Discuss your current treatment with your doctor to see if XEOMIN is right for you.
How is XEOMIN given?
XEOMIN is injected directly into the affected muscles. Your doctor will decide how many muscles need to be injected and the dose per muscle. For most people, the first effects of XEOMIN are typically seen within 7 days. Everyone is different, so you should talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about your treatment process.
How often will I need treatment with XEOMIN?
The effects of XEOMIN usually last about 12 weeks, but may last significantly longer or shorter in individual patients.
What are the most common side effects of XEOMIN?
In a clinical study of XEOMIN for upper limb spasticity in adults, the most common side effects included:
• Seizure
• Nasopharyngitis
• Dry mouth
• Upper respiratory tract infection
In a clinical study of XEOMIN for blepharospasm, the most common side effects included:
• Drooping eyelid
• Dry eye
• Dry mouth
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Visual impairment
• Difficult or labored breathing
• Inflammation of mucus membranes
• Respiratory infections
In a clinical study of XEOMIN for cervical dystonia, the most common side effects included:
• Difficulty swallowing
• Injection site pain
• Neck pain
• Muscle weakness
• Muscle/joint pain
XEOMIN® may cause serious side effects that can be life threatening. Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of these problems anytime (hours to week) after treatment with XEOMIN®:
• Problems with swallowing, speaking, or breathing can happen within hours to weeks after an injection of XEOMIN® if the muscles that you use to breathe and swallow become weak. Death can happen as a complication if you have severe problems with swallowing or breathing after treatment with XEOMIN®.
• People with certain breathing problems may need to use muscles in their neck to help them breathe and may be at greater risk for serious breathing problems with XEOMIN®.
• Swallowing problems may last for several months, and during that time you may need a feeding tube to receive food and water. If swallowing problems are severe, food or liquids may go into your lungs. People who already have swallowing or breathing problems before receiving XEOMIN® have the highest risk of getting these problems.
• Spread of toxin effects. In some cases, the effect of botulinum toxin may affect areas of the body away from the injection site and cause symptoms of a serious condition called botulism. The symptoms of botulism include: loss of strength and muscle weakness all over the body, double vision, blurred vision and drooping eyelids, hoarseness or change or loss of voice, trouble saying words clearly, loss of bladder control, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing.
What type of financial assistance is available?
As part of our commitment to patients, Merz, the maker of XEOMIN, created the XEOMIN Patient Co-pay Program. If you are eligible to enroll in this program, Merz will directly reimburse you for your eligible out-of-pocket costs for medication and related administration fees.
Where can I get more information about XEOMIN?
Ask your doctor about XEOMIN; only your doctor can offer information that is specific to your own health history. You can also learn more by signing up for the My XEOMIN® Kit and reading the full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for XEOMIN.