Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Botulinum toxin type a may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
for BOCOUTURE is a medicine that contains the active substance Botulinum toxin type A which relaxes the injected muscles. BOCOUTURE is used for temporary improvement of upper facial lines in adults under 65 years of age when the severity of these lines has an important psychological impact for the patient: •
moderate to severe vertical lines between the eyebrows seen at maximum frown and/or
•
moderate to severe lateral periorbital lines seen at maximum smile and/or
•
moderate to severe horizontal forehead lines seen at maximum contraction
Elderly
Other medicines and BOCOUTURE Tell your doctor, pharmacist or healthcare professional if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. The effect of BOCOUTURE may be increased by: •
medicines used to treat certain infectious diseases (spectinomycin or aminoglycoside antibiotics [e.g. neomycin, kanamycin, tobramycin])
•
other medicines that relax the muscles (e.g. muscle relaxants of the tubocurarine type). Such medicines are used, for example, in general anaesthesia. Before you have surgery, tell your anaesthetist if you have received BOCOUTURE.
In these cases, BOCOUTURE must be used carefully.
2. What you need to know before BOCOUTURE is used Do not use BOCOUTURE • • •
if you are allergic to Botulinum neurotoxin type A or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6) if you suffer from a generalised disorder of muscle activity (e.g. myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton syndrome) if you have an infection or inflammation at the proposed injection site.
Warnings and precautions Side effects may occur from misplaced injections of Botulinum neurotoxin type A temporarily paralysing nearby muscle groups. There have been very rare reports of side effects that may be related to the spread of toxin distant from the injection site and botulism to produce symptoms consistent to Botulinum toxin type A effects (e.g. double vision, blurred vision and/or drooping eyelids, trouble speaking or breathing, excessive muscle weakness, swallowing difficulties or accidental swallowing of food or drink into the airways). Patients who receive the recommended doses may experience excessive muscle weakness. Contact your doctor or healthcare professional and seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of the following: •
difficulty in breathing, swallowing or speaking
•
hives, swelling including swelling of the face or throat, wheezing, feeling faint and shortness of breath (possible symptoms of severe allergic reactions) (see section 4).
If the dose is too high or the injections too frequent, the risk of antibody formation may increase. Antibody formation can cause treatment with Botulinum toxin type A to fail, whatever the reason for its use.
MN 170003746 MC 520, UK
The effect of BOCOUTURE may be reduced by certain medicines for malaria and rheumatism (known as aminoquinolines). Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor, pharmacist or healthcare professional for advice before this medicine is administered. BOCOUTURE should not be used during pregnancy unless your doctor decides that the necessity and potential benefit of the treatment justifies the possible risk on the foetus. BOCOUTURE is not recommended if you are breast-feeding. Driving and using machines You should not drive or engage in other potentially hazardous activities if drooping eyelids, weakness (asthenia), muscle weakness, dizziness or vision disorders occur. If in doubt, ask your doctor or healthcare professional for advice.
BOCOUTURE BOCOUTURE may only be administered by doctors or healthcare professionals with appropriate specialist knowledge of treatment with Botulinum neurotoxin type A. Vertical Lines between the Eyebrows seen at maximum frown (Glabellar Frown Lines) When treating your vertical lines between the eyebrows seen at maximum frown (glabellar frown lines) the usual total dose is 20 units. Your doctor or healthcare professional will inject 4 units into each of the 5 injection sites. The total dose may be increased by the physician to up to 30 units if required by the individual needs of the patient, with at least '3-months' interval between treatments.
A reduction in the vertical lines between the eyebrows seen at maximum frown generally occurs within 2 to 3 days with the maximum effect observed on day 30. The effect lasts for up to 4 months after the injection. Lateral Periorbital Lines seen at maximum smile (Crow's feet lines) For the treatment of lateral periorbital lines seen at maximum smile (crow's feet lines) your doctor or healthcare professional will inject a standard dose of 24 units (12 units per eye). 4 units will be applied bilaterally into each of the 3 injection sites. A reduction in lateral periorbital lines seen at maximum smile mostly occurs within 6 days with the maximum effect observed on day 30. The effect lasts for up to 4 months after the injection. Horizontal Forehead Lines seen at maximum contraction When treating horizontal forehead lines seen at maximum contraction your doctor will use a dose within a range of 10 to 20 units according to the individual needs of the patient. The recommended dose of totally 10 to 20 units will be injected into the five h orizontally a ligned i njection s ites ( 2 u nits, 3 u nits, o r 4 units, per injection point respectively). A reduction in the horizontal forehead lines seen at maximum contraction usually occurs within 7 days with the maximum effect observed on day 30. The effect lasts up to 4 months after the injection. Method of administration Dissolved BOCOUTURE is intended for injections into the muscle (intramuscular use; see information for healthcare professionals at the end of this leaflet). The interval between two treatments should not be less than 3 months. If you are given more BOCOUTURE than you require Symptoms of overdose Symptoms of overdose are not apparent immediately after the injection and may include general weakness, drooping eyelid, double vision, breathing difficulties, speech difficulties, and paralysis of the respiratory muscles or swallowing difficulties which may result in pneumonia. Measures in cases of overdose In case you feel symptoms of overdose please seek medical emergency services immediately or ask your relatives to do so, and have yourself admitted to hospital. Medical supervision for up to several days and assisted ventilation may be necessary. If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor, pharmacist or healthcare professional. 4. Possible side effects Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. An allergic reaction may occur with BOCOUTURE. Serious and/or immediate allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) or allergic reactions to the serum in the product (serum sickness), causing for example difficulty in breathing (dyspnoea), hives (urticaria) or swelling of the soft tissue (oedema), have been rarely reported. Some of these reactions have been observed following the use of conventional Botulinum toxin type A complex. They occurred when the toxin was given alone or in combination with other products known to cause similar reactions. These effects cannot be ruled out completely when using BOCOUTURE. An allergic reaction can cause any of the following symptoms: •
difficulty with breathing, swallowing or speaking due to the swelling of the face, lips, mouth or throat
•
swelling of the hands, feet or ankles.
If you notice any of these side effects, please inform your doctor immediately or ask your relatives to do so and go to the accident and emergency department of your nearest hospital. Usually, side effects occur in the first week after the injection and are temporary in nature. Side effects may be related to the medicine, injection technique or both. At the injection sites, the action of Botulinum toxin type A causes localised muscle weakness. Drooping eyelids can be caused by the injection technique and the effect of the medicine. The following reactions may occur around the injection site: •
Localised pain
•
Inflammation
•
Pins and needles
•
Numbness
•
Tenderness
•
Itching
•
Swelling (general)
Job No.:
me4022622
Created at: 07.11.2025
Operator: lw
Size:
300 x 390 mm (w x h)
1. AC:
5. AC:
MN:
170003746
MC:
2. AC:
6. AC:
LX:
20415
MZ / AZ: 928
3. AC:
7. AC:
4. AC:
8. AC:
520
Type size: 9 pt
Typestyle: Helvetica Neue LT Std
Bocouture, 50+100 units, PL, UK
PANTONE 3005 C
•
Swelling of the soft tissue (oedema)
facial lines (see section 2):
•
Skin redness (erythema)
•
Excessive muscle weakness
•
Localised infection
•
Swallowing difficulties
•
Haematoma
•
•
Bleeding
Swallowing difficulties causing inhalation of foreign bodies resulting in lung inflammation and, in some cases, death
•
Bruising
Such side effects are caused by the relaxation of muscles far from the injection site.
Patients with a fear of injections or needle related pain may experience temporary generalised reactions, e.g. •
Fainting
•
Circulatory problems
•
Nausea
•
Noises in the ears
Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or healthcare professional. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/ yellowcard. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Other possible side effects The following BOCOUTURE:
BOCOUTURE
with
Vertical Lines between the Eyebrows seen at maximum frown (Glabellar Frown Lines) Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
Mephisto sign (raising of the outer eyebrows)
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Reconstituted BOCOUTURE is a clear, colourless solution.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and vial label after "EXP". The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
BOCOUTURE must not be used if the reconstituted solution (prepared as above) has a cloudy appearance or contains floccular or particulate matter.
Unopened vial: Do not store above 25 °C. Reconstituted solution: Chemical and physical in-use stability has been demonstrated for 24 hours at 2 °C to 8 °C.
Possible dilutions for BOCOUTURE 50 and 100 units are indicated in the following table:
Bronchitis
•
Influenza like illness
•
Drooping eyebrow (brow ptosis)
•
Drooping eyelids (eyelid ptosis)
•
Accumulation of fluid in the eyelids (eyelid oedema)
•
Discomfort (heavy feeling of eyelid/eyebrow)
•
Blurred vision
•
Muscle twitching (muscle spasm)
•
Asymmetry of eyebrows
•
Feeling of tightness at the injection site
•
Tiredness
What BOCOUTURE contains
•
Pain or bruising at the injection site
•
•
Itching
•
Bruise
•
Skin nodule
•
Insomnia
Your doctor or healthcare professional should not use BOCOUTURE if the solution has a cloudy appearance or contains visible particles. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater. For instructions on disposal, please see information for healthcare professionals at the end of this leaflet.
The active substance is: Botulinum toxin type A (150 kD), free from complexing proteins. BOCOUTURE 50 units One vial contains 50 units Botulinum toxin type A (150 kD), free from complexing proteins. BOCOUTURE 100 units One vial contains 100 units Botulinum toxin type A (150 kD), free from complexing proteins. The other ingredients are: human albumin, sucrose.
Lateral Periorbital Lines seen at maximum smile (Crow's feet lines)
•
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
What BOCOUTURE looks like and contents of the pack BOCOUTURE is presented as a powder for solution for injection (powder for injection). The powder is white.
•
Dry eye
•
Bruising at the injection site
Upper Facial Lines Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
Discomfort (heavy feeling of frontal area)
•
Eyelid swelling
•
Drooping eyelids (eyelid ptosis)
•
Dry eye
•
Drooping eyebrow (brow ptosis)
•
Facial asymmetry
•
Mephisto sign (raising of the outer eyebrows)
•
Nausea
Manufacturer Merz Pharma GmbH & Co. KGaA Eckenheimer Landstraße 100 60318 Frankfurt am Main Germany This leaflet was last revised in 01/2026. The following information is intended for healthcare professionals only: Instructions for reconstitution of the solution for injection BOCOUTURE is reconstituted prior to use with sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9 %) solution for injection.
The following side effects were reported with unknown frequency for the use of BOCOUTURE since market launch independent from treatment area:
BOCOUTURE may only be applied for its intended use to treat one patient for one session.
The following very rare side effects have been observed during Botulinum toxin type A treatment of conditions other than upper
MN 170003746 MC 520, UK
It is good practice to reconstitute the vial contents and prepare the syringe over plastic-lined paper towels to catch any spillage. An appropriate amount of sodium chloride solution is drawn up into a syringe. A 20-27 gauge needle is recommended for reconstitution. After vertical insertion of the needle through the rubber stopper, the solvent is injected gently into the vial in order to avoid foam formation. The vial must be discarded if
Vial with 100 units
5 units
1 ml
2 ml
4 units
1.25 ml
2.5 ml
Procedure to follow for a safe disposal of vials, syringes and materials used Any unused vials or remaining solution in the vial and/or syringes should be autoclaved. Alternatively, the remaining BOCOUTURE can be inactivated by adding one of the following solutions: 70 % ethanol, 50 % isopropanol, 0.1 % SDS (anionic detergent), diluted sodium hydroxide solution (0.1 N NaOH), or diluted sodium hypochlorite solution (at least 0.1 % NaOCl). After inactivation used vials, syringes and materials should not be emptied and must be discarded into appropriate containers and disposed of in accordance with local requirements. Recommendations should any incident occur during the handling of Botulinum toxin type A •
Any spills of the product must be wiped up: either using absorbent material impregnated with any of the above solutions in case of the powder, or with dry, absorbent material in case of reconstituted product. The contaminated surfaces should be cleaned using absorbent material impregnated with any of the above solutions, then dried.
•
If a vial is broken, proceed as mentioned above by carefully collecting the pieces of broken glass and wiping up the product, avoiding any cuts to the skin.
•
If the product comes into contact with skin, rinse the affected area abundantly with water.
•
If product gets into the eyes, rinse thoroughly with plenty of water or with an ophthalmic eyewash solution.
•
If product comes into contact with a wound, cut or broken skin, rinse thoroughly with plenty of water and take the appropriate medical steps according to the dose injected.
Marketing Authorisation Holder Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH 60048 Frankfurt am Main Germany
Vial with 50 units
Any solution for injection that has been stored for more than 24 hours as well as any unused solution for injection should be discarded.
Pack sizes of 1, 2, 3 or 6 vials. Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Solvent added (sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9 %) solution for injection)
Instructions for disposal
Dissolving the powder produces a clear, colourless solution.
Post-marketing experience
Influenza like illness, shrinkage of injected muscle, and hypersensitivity reactions, such as swelling and swelling of the soft tissue (oedema), also distant from injection site, redness, itching, rash (local and generalised) and breathlessness.
Resulting dose (in units per 0.1 ml)
From a microbiological point of view, the product should be used immediately. If not used immediately, in-use storage times and conditions prior to use are the responsibility of the user and would normally not be longer than 24 hours at 2 °C to 8 °C, unless reconstitution has taken place in controlled and validated aseptic conditions.
•
•
the vacuum does not pull the solvent into the vial. Remove the syringe from the vial and mix BOCOUTURE with the solvent by carefully swirling and inverting/flipping the vial – do not shake vigorously. If needed, the needle used for reconstitution should remain in the vial and the required amount of solution should be drawn up with a new sterile syringe suitable for injection.
These instructions for use, handling and disposal should be strictly followed.
BOCOUTURE 50 units powder for solution for injection comes as injection containing 50iu. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
The active substance in BOCOUTURE 50 units powder for solution for injection is botulinum toxin type a.
Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: Letybo 50 units powder for solution for injection, XEOMIN 50 units powder for solution for injection. They are interchangeable only if your prescriber or pharmacist says so.
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for BOCOUTURE 50 units powder for solution for injection, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
BOCOUTURE is indicated for the temporary improvement in the appearance of upper facial lines in adults below 65 years when the severity of these lines has an important psychological impact for the patient:
• moderate to severe vertical lines between the eyebrows seen at maximum frown (glabellar frown lines) and/or
• moderate to severe lateral periorbital lines seen at maximum smile (crow's feet lines) and/or
• moderate to severe horizontal forehead lines seen at maximum contraction
Due to unit differences in the potency assay, unit doses for BOCOUTURE are not interchangeable with those for other preparations of Botulinum toxin type A.
For detailed information regarding clinical studies with BOCOUTURE in comparison to conventional Botulinum toxin type A complex (900 kD), see section 5.1.
General
BOCOUTURE should only be administered by an appropriately qualified healthcare practitioner with expertise in the treatment of the relevant indication and the use of the required equipment, in accordance with national guidelines
Posology
Vertical Lines between the Eyebrows seen at maximum frown (Glabellar Frown Lines)
After reconstitution of BOCOUTURE a dose of 4 units is injected into each of the 5 injection sites: two injections in each corrugator muscle and one injection in the procerus muscle, which corresponds to a standard dose of 20 units. The dose may be increased by the physician to up to 30 units if required by the individual needs of the patients, with at least '3‑months' interval between treatments.
An improvement in the vertical lines between the eyebrows seen at maximum frown (glabellar frown lines) generally takes place within 2 to 3 days with the maximum effect observed on day 30. The effect lasts up to 4 months after the injection.
Lateral Periorbital Lines seen at maximum smile (Crow's Feet Lines)
After reconstitution of BOCOUTURE 4 units are injected bilaterally into each of the 3 injection sites. One injection is placed approximately 1 cm lateral from the bony orbital rim. The other two injections each should be placed approximately 1 cm above and below the area of the first injection.
The total recommended standard dose per treatment is 12 units per side (overall total dose: 24 units).
An improvement in lateral periorbital lines seen at maximum smile (crow's feet lines) mostly takes place within the first 6 days with the maximum effect observed on day 30. The effect lasts up to 4 months after the injection.
Horizontal Forehead Lines seen at maximum contraction
The recommended total dose range is 10 to 20 units according to the individual needs of the patients, with at least '3‑months' interval between treatments. After reconstitution of BOCOUTURE a total dose of 10 to 20 units is injected into the frontalis muscle in five horizontally aligned injection sites at least 2 cm above the orbital rim. Per injection point, 2 units, 3 units or 4 units are applied, respectively.
An improvement in the horizontal forehead lines seen at maximum contraction usually occurs within 7 days with the maximum effect observed on day 30. The effect lasts up to 4 months after the injection.
All indications
If no treatment effect occurs within one month after the initial injection, the following measures should be taken:
• Analysis of the reasons for non-response, e.g. too low dose, poor injection technique, possible development of neurotoxin-neutralising antibodies
• Dose adjustment with regard to the analysis of the most recent therapy failure
• Review of Botulinum neurotoxin type A treatment as an adequate therapy
• If no adverse reactions have occurred during the initial treatment, an additional course of treatment can be performed in compliance with the minimum interval of 3 months between the initial and repeat treatment.
Special populations
There are limited clinical data from phase 3 studies of BOCOUTURE in patients over 65 years of age. Until further data are available in this age group, BOCOUTURE is not recommended for use in patients over 65 years of age.
Paediatric population
The safety and efficacy of BOCOUTURE for the treatment of vertical lines between the eyebrows seen at maximum frown, lateral periorbital lines seen at maximum smile and horizontal forehead lines seen at maximum contraction has not been studied in children and adolescents younger than 18 years. BOCOUTURE is thus not recommended in the paediatric population.
Method of administration
All indications
Reconstituted BOCOUTURE is intended for intramuscular injection.
After reconstitution, BOCOUTURE should be used immediately and may only be used for one treatment per patient.
Reconstituted BOCOUTURE is injected using a thin sterile needle (e.g. 30‑33 gauge/0.20‑0.30 mm diameter/13 mm length needle). An injection volume of approximately 0.04 to 0.1 ml per injection site is recommended.
For instructions on reconstitution of the medicinal product before administration and for instructions on disposal of the vials, see section 6.6.
The intervals between treatments should not be shorter than 3 months. If the treatment fails, or the effect lessens with repeated injections, alternative treatment methods should be used.
Vertical Lines between the Eyebrows seen at maximum frown (Glabellar Frown Lines)
Before and during the injection, the thumb or index finger should be used to apply firm pressure below the edge of the eye socket in order to prevent diffusion of the solution in this region. Superior and medial alignment of the needle should be maintained during the injection. To reduce the risk of blepharoptosis, injections near the levator palpebrae superioris and into the cranial portion of the orbicularis oculi should be avoided. Injections into the corrugator muscle should be done in the medial portion of the muscle, and in the central portion of the muscle belly at least 1 cm above the bony edge of the eye socket.
Lateral Periorbital Lines seen at maximum smile (Crow's FeetLines)
The injection should be done intramuscularly into the orbicularis oculi muscle, directly under the dermis to avoid diffusion of BOCOUTURE. Injections too close to the zygomaticus major muscle should be avoided to prevent lip ptosis.
Horizontal Forehead Lines seen at maximum contraction
Paralyzing of lower muscle fibers by injecting BOCOUTURE near the orbital rim should be avoided to reduce the risk of brow ptosis.
• Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
• Generalised disorders of muscle activity (e.g. myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton syndrome).
• Infection or inflammation at the proposed injection site.
General
Prior to administering BOCOUTURE, the physician must familiarise himself/herself with the patient's anatomy and any alterations to the anatomy due to prior surgical procedures.
Care should be taken to ensure that BOCOUTURE is not injected into a blood vessel.
It should be taken into consideration that horizontal forehead lines may not only be dynamic, but may also result from the loss of dermal elasticity (e.g. associated with aging or photodamage). In this case, patients may not respond to Botulinum toxin products.
BOCOUTURE should be used with caution:
• if bleeding disorders of any type exist
• in patients receiving anticoagulant therapy or other substances that could have an anticoagulant effect.
Local and distant spread of toxin effect
Undesirable effects may occur from misplaced injections of Botulinum neurotoxin type A that temporarily paralyse nearby muscle groups.
There have been reports of undesirable effects that might be related to the spread of Botulinum toxin type A to sites distant from the injection site (see section 4.8).
Patients treated with therapeutic doses may experience excessive muscle weakness. Cases of iatrogenic botulism have been reported following injection of botulinum toxin products.
Patients or caregivers should be advised to seek immediate medical care if they experience any signs or symptoms consistent with the spread of botulinum toxin effect or if swallowing, speech or respiratory disorders occur (see section 4.9).
Pre-existing Neuromuscular Disorders
The injection of BOCOUTURE is not recommended for patients with a history of aspiration or dysphagia.
BOCOUTURE should be used with caution:
• in patients suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• in patients with other diseases which result in peripheral neuromuscular dysfunction
• in targeted muscles which display pronounced weakness or atrophy
Hypersensitivity reactions
Hypersensitivity reactions have been reported with Botulinum neurotoxin type A products. If serious (e.g. anaphylactic reactions) and/or immediate hypersensitivity reactions occur, appropriate medical therapy should be instituted.
Antibody formation
Too frequent doses may increase the risk of antibody formation, which can result in treatment failure (see section 4.2).
The potential for antibody formation may be minimised by injecting with the lowest effective dose given at the indicated minimum intervals between injections.
No interaction studies have been performed.
Theoretically, the effect of Botulinum neurotoxin may be potentiated by aminoglycoside antibiotics or other medicinal products that interfere with neuromuscular transmission e.g. tubocurarine-type muscle relaxants.
Therefore, the concomitant use of BOCOUTURE with aminoglycosides or spectinomycin requires special care. Peripheral muscle relaxants should be used with caution, if necessary reducing the starting dose of relaxant, or using an intermediate-acting substance such as vecuronium or atracurium rather than substances with longer lasting effects.
4‑Aminoquinolines may reduce the effect of BOCOUTURE.
Pregnancy
There are no adequate data from the use of Botulinum neurotoxin type A in pregnant women. Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3). The potential risk for humans is unknown. Therefore, BOCOUTURE should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary and unless the potential benefit justifies the risk.
Breast-feeding
It is unknown whether Botulinum neurotoxin type A is excreted inhuman milk. Therefore, BOCOUTURE should not be used during breast-feeding.
Fertility
There are no clinical data from the use of Botulinum neurotoxin type A. No adverse effects on male or female fertility were detected in rabbits (see section 5.3).
BOCOUTURE has a minor or moderate influence on the ability to drive and use machines. Patients should be counselled that if asthenia, muscle weakness, dizziness, vision disorders or drooping eyelids occur, they should avoid driving or engaging in other potentially hazardous activities.
Usually, undesirable effects are observed within the first week after treatment and are temporary in nature. Undesirable effects may be related to the active substance, the injection procedure, or both.
Undesirable effects independent from indication
Application related undesirable effects
Localised pain, inflammation, paraesthesia, hypoaesthesia, tenderness, swelling, oedema, erythema, itching, localised infection, haematoma, bleeding and/or bruising may be associated with the injection.
Needle related pain and/or anxiety may result in vasovagal responses, including transient symptomatic hypotension, nausea, tinnitus and syncope.
Undesirable effects of the substance class Botulinum toxin type A
Localised muscle weakness is one expected pharmacological effect of Botulinum toxin type A. Blepharoptosis, which can be caused by injection technique, is associated with the pharmacological effect of BOCOUTURE.
Toxin spread
When treating other indications with Botulinum toxins, undesirable effects related to spread of toxin distant from the site of administration have been reported very rarely to produce symptoms consistent with Botulinum toxin type A effects (excessive muscle weakness, dysphagia, and aspiration pneumonia with a fatal outcome in some cases) (see section 4.4). Undesirable effects such as these cannot be completely ruled out with the use of BOCOUTURE.
Hypersensitivity reactions
Serious and/or immediate hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis, serum sickness, urticaria, soft tissue oedema, and dyspnoea have been rarely reported. Some of these reactions have been reported following the use of conventional Botulinum toxin type A complex either alone or in combination with other agents known to cause similar reactions.
Undesirable effects from clinical experience
The following adverse reactions have been reported with BOCOUTURE. The frequency categories are defined as follows: very common (≥ 1/10); common (≥ 1/100 to < 1/10); uncommon (≥ 1/1,000 to < 1/100); rare (≥ 1/10,000 to < 1/1,000); very rare (< 1/10,000).
Vertical Lines between the Eyebrows seen at maximum frown (Glabellar Frown Lines)
System Organ Class
Adverse Reaction
Frequency
Infections and infestations
Bronchitis, Nasopharyngitis, Influenza like illness
Uncommon
Psychiatric disorders
Insomnia
Uncommon
Nervous system disorders
Headache
Common
Eye disorders
Eyelid oedema, Eyelid ptosis, Blurred vision
Uncommon
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Pruritus, Skin nodule, Brow ptosis
Uncommon
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Mephisto sign (lateral elevation of eyebrows)
Common
Muscle twitching, Muscle spasm, Facial asymmetry (brow asymmetry)
Uncommon
General disorders and administration site conditions
Injection site haematoma, Injection site pain, (local) Tenderness, Fatigue, Discomfort (heavy feeling of eyelid/ eyebrow)
Uncommon
Vascular disorders
Haematoma
Uncommon
Lateral Periorbital Lines seen at maximum smile (Crow's feet lines)
System Organ Class
Adverse Reaction
Frequency
Eye disorders
Eyelid oedema, Dry eye
Common
General disorders and administration site conditions
Injection site haematoma
Common
Upper Facial Lines
System Organ Class
Adverse Reaction
Frequency
Nervous system disorders
Headache
Common
Hypoaesthesia
Uncommon
General disorders and administration site conditions
Injection site haematoma
Common
Discomfort (heavy feeling of frontal area)
Uncommon
Eye disorders
Eyelid swelling, Eyelid ptosis, Dry eye
Uncommon
Skin-and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Brow ptosis
Uncommon
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Facial asymmetry, Mephisto sign (lateral elevation of eyebrows)
Uncommon
Gastrointestinal disorders
Nausea
Uncommon
Post-marketing experience
The following adverse reactions were reported with unknown frequency for the use of BOCOUTURE since market launch independent from indication:
System Organ Class
Adverse Reaction
Immune system disorders
Hypersensitivity reactions like swelling, oedema (also distant from injection site), erythema, pruritus, rash (localised and generalised) and breathlessness
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Muscle atrophy
General disorders and administration site conditions
Influenza like illness
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via theYellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard
Symptoms of overdose
Increased doses of Botulinum neurotoxin type A may result in pronounced neuromuscular paralysis distant from the injection site with a variety of symptoms. Symptoms may include general weakness, ptosis, diplopia, breathing difficulties, speech difficulties, paralysis of the respiratory muscles or swallowing difficulties which may result in aspiration pneumonia.
Measures in cases of overdose
In the event of overdose or spread of toxin, the patient should be medically monitored for symptoms of excessive muscle weakness or muscle paralysis. Symptomatic treatment may be necessary. Respiratory support may be required if paralysis of the respiratory muscles occurs.
Ask anything about BOCOUTURE 50 units powder for solution for injection. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.
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