title: IncobotulinumtoxinA for Aesthetic Indications: A Systematic Review of Prospective Comparative Trials.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  IncobotulinumtoxinA is a botulinum toxin type A (BoNTA) indicated for temporary improvement in the appearance of upper facial lines with well-established efficacy and safety profiles. Whether incobotulinumtoxinA and other BoNTAs are equipotent is subject of debate.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy of incobotulinumtoxinA and other BoNTAs for aesthetic applications.
  
  
  METHODS
  PubMed and Embase were systematically searched for prospective clinical trials comparing incobotulinumtoxinA with onabotulinumtoxinA, abobotulinumtoxinA, or placebo for aesthetic applications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifteen articles met the selection criteria. Two studies found that incobotulinumtoxinA was noninferior or equivalent to onabotulinumtoxinA for the treatment of glabellar frown lines (GFLs). Eight studies found no difference in efficacy between incobotulinumtoxinA and other BoNTAs. One study suggested differences in response rates at certain time points between incobotulinumtoxinA and onabotulinumtoxinA for GFLs, and one suggested differences for dynamic horizontal forehead lines but not for GFLs or lateral periorbital lines, but both had study design issues limiting the ability to draw conclusions. Finally, 3 placebo-controlled studies demonstrated the efficacy of incobotulinumtoxinA for treating GFLs and upper facial lines.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The weight of the evidence from comparative clinical trials indicates that incobotulinumtoxinA, onabotulinumtoxinA, and abobotulinumtoxinA have similar efficacy for aesthetic applications.
authors.affiliation: *Prager & Partner Dermatologische Praxis, Hamburg, Germany; †Global Medical Affairs, Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; ‡4Clinics, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Welf
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Prager
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nogueira Teixeira
authors.forename: Phillip S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Leventhal
mesh_terms: D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques; D005145:Face; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A; C542869:abobotulinumtoxinA; C545476:incobotulinumtoxinA