To reconstitute Dysport (abobotulinumtoxinA), add preservative-free 0.9% sodium chloride to the lyophilized vial using the volume that matches your target concentration: for example, 1.5 mL for a 300 Unit vial or 2.5 mL for a 500 Unit vial gives 20 Units per 0.1 mL. Once reconstituted, the US label allows up to 24 hours refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C, for one patient only.
Key Takeaways
- Dysport is supplied as a single-dose lyophilized vial of 300 Units or 500 Units and is reconstituted with preservative-free 0.9% sodium chloride only.
- The diluent volume differs by vial size: the same concentration needs 1.5 mL for a 300 Unit vial and 2.5 mL for a 500 Unit vial.
- Unopened vials are stored at 2°C to 8°C protected from light; reconstituted product may be held refrigerated up to 24 hours per the US label, then discarded.
- Dysport units are not interchangeable with other botulinum toxins, so never apply another brand's dilution or conversion habit.
- Every reconstituted vial is for one patient and one session; leftover product is discarded.
What Does Dysport Contain and How Is It Supplied?
Dysport is a sterile, lyophilized powder of abobotulinumtoxinA supplied in single-dose glass vials of 300 Units or 500 Units. The US prescribing information lists human albumin and lactose as inactive ingredients and notes that the product may contain cow's milk protein.
That last point matters at intake: the label lists hypersensitivity to cow's milk protein as a contraindication, alongside hypersensitivity to any botulinum toxin product or excipient and infection at the proposed injection site. For a clinic stocking Dysport 500 Units (Ipsen), vial size is the first variable in any dilution plan, because the same saline volume gives very different concentrations in a 300 Unit and a 500 Unit vial.
How Do You Reconstitute a Dysport Vial Step by Step?
Draw up the required volume of preservative-free 0.9% sodium chloride, insert the needle into the vial, let the partial vacuum pull the saline in, express any remainder manually, and swirl gently. The sequence below follows the US prescribing information.
- Check the vial. The label states not to use the vial if no partial vacuum is observed. Confirm the carton hologram is present; the label instructs users not to use the product if it is missing.
- Choose the diluent volume from the dilution table for your vial size and target concentration (see below).
- Add the saline with a sterile syringe and aseptic technique. Use preservative-free 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP only.
- Swirl gently to dissolve, then inspect. Reconstituted Dysport should be clear, colorless and free of particulate matter; otherwise it should not be injected.
- Expel air bubbles, remove the reconstitution needle and attach a new sterile needle of appropriate size for injection.
- Label and time-stamp any vial that will be held, store it per the label, and discard according to local regulations after use.
What Dilution Volume Gives Which Concentration?
The US label provides a dilution table that links diluent volume to resulting Units per 0.1 mL for each vial size. Because the concentration changes with the vial, always read the row for the vial in your hand.
| Target concentration | Diluent for 500 Unit vial | Diluent for 300 Unit vial |
|---|---|---|
| 50 Units per 0.1 mL | 1 mL | 0.6 mL |
| 25 Units per 0.1 mL | 2 mL | not listed |
| 20 Units per 0.1 mL | 2.5 mL | 1.5 mL |
| 12 Units per 0.1 mL | not listed | 2.5 mL |
| 10 Units per 0.1 mL | 5 mL (see note) | 3 mL |
Source: US prescribing information for Dysport, Table 1. For the 5 mL option in a 500 Unit vial, the label specifies that no more than 2.5 mL of saline be introduced into the vial itself; the remaining 2.5 mL is drawn into a 5 mL syringe and combined with the reconstituted solution, which should be used immediately after reconstitution in the syringe.
Which concentration applies to glabellar lines?
For glabellar lines in adults, the US label recommends a total of 50 Units in five equal aliquots of 10 Units. It lists two concentrations: 12 Units per 0.1 mL (10 Units in 0.08 mL per site) or 20 Units per 0.1 mL (10 Units in 0.05 mL per site). The Medsafe datasheet describes reconstitution with 2.5 mL (500 U vial) or 1.5 mL (300 U vial) of saline for glabellar lines, yielding 10 units per 0.05 mL, which matches the 20 Units per 0.1 mL row.
Product indications, approved age ranges and dosing differ between jurisdictions, so practitioners should always follow the approved labeling that applies in their own country.
How Long Can Reconstituted Dysport Be Stored?
The US prescribing information allows reconstituted Dysport to be stored in its original container in a refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C, protected from light, for up to 24 hours until time of use; it must be discarded if not used within 24 hours and must not be frozen. Unopened vials must be stored refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C and protected from light.
Regulators word this slightly differently. Medsafe's datasheet notes that Dysport contains no antimicrobial agent, so it should be administered within one hour of reconstitution to reduce microbiological hazard, and, if required, held at 2°C to 8°C for 24 hours. The practical reading for clinics is to treat 24 hours as a ceiling rather than a target and to reconstitute close to the time of treatment. Upstream, product that arrives warm or without temperature records cannot be rescued by good reconstitution technique, which is why our botulinum toxin cold chain checklist is worth reviewing before the vial ever reaches your fridge.
Can You Use Another Brand's Dilution or Convert Units?
No. The US label states that Dysport potency units are specific to its preparation and assay method and cannot be compared to, or converted into, units of any other botulinum toxin product. A dilution plan built for another toxin should not be transplanted onto Dysport.
This is the same principle behind our article on Dysport versus Botox units: the number printed on the vial describes biological activity measured by that manufacturer's own assay. Staff trained on one brand therefore need a brand-specific protocol sheet for each toxin in the clinic, rather than a general "units per mL" habit.
What Safety Points Should Accompany Every Preparation?
The US label carries a boxed warning on distant spread of toxin effect, and advises not exceeding the recommended dose and frequency. For glabellar lines it notes that higher doses in clinical trials were associated with an increased incidence of eyelid ptosis, and that caution is needed in patients with ptosis, excessive dermatochalasis, marked facial asymmetry or surgically altered facial anatomy.
Dilution choice influences injection volume and spread, so it belongs inside the clinical protocol and should be decided by the treating practitioner. For prevention and management of lid ptosis see our guide to eyelid ptosis after botulinum toxin. The label also reports that some patients develop binding or neutralizing antibodies to Dysport. Our article on botulinum toxin resistance explains why re-treatment intervals matter; the US label advises glabellar re-treatment no more frequently than every three months.
How Should Clinics Choose Between the 300 U and 500 U Vial?
Choose the vial that lets you use the whole reconstituted volume within the permitted window for a single patient or session. Because Dysport is single-dose and one-patient-only after reconstitution, a vial that routinely leaves large discarded remainders raises cost per treatment and invites temptation to cut corners.
Distributors and clinic buyers should also confirm the source. A hologram on the carton, intact packaging, batch and expiry details, and a documented cold chain are all checkable at receipt; see how to verify authentic botulinum toxin before stocking any lot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which diluent is used to reconstitute Dysport?
The US prescribing information specifies preservative-free 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP only. The Medsafe (New Zealand) datasheet likewise names 0.9% sodium chloride injection. Use sterile technique, add the saline so the vial's partial vacuum draws it in, and swirl gently rather than shaking. Do not use a vial that shows no partial vacuum.
How long can reconstituted Dysport be stored?
The US label allows reconstituted Dysport to be stored in its original container, refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C and protected from light, for up to 24 hours, and requires discarding it after that. It must not be frozen. The New Zealand datasheet advises administration within one hour where possible and permits holding for 24 hours at 2°C to 8°C if required.
Can I convert Botox units to Dysport units when choosing a dilution?
No. Both the US label and independent regulators state that Dysport potency units are specific to its assay method and are not interchangeable with, or convertible into, units of other botulinum toxin products. Dilution decisions should be based on Dysport's own labeling, not on a conversion ratio from another brand.
What is the difference between the 300 U and 500 U Dysport vials?
They contain different amounts of the same lyophilized abobotulinumtoxinA powder, so the same final concentration needs a different diluent volume. For example, 20 Units per 0.1 mL requires 1.5 mL of saline in a 300 Unit vial but 2.5 mL in a 500 Unit vial. Each vial is single-dose and for one patient only.
Can leftover Dysport be used for another patient?
No. The US prescribing information states that after reconstitution Dysport should be used for only one injection session and for only one patient, and any unused portion must be discarded. The Medsafe datasheet also states the product is for one patient on one occasion. Plan vial size and dilution around your realistic treatment volume.
Conclusion
Correct Dysport reconstitution comes down to four label-driven checks: the right vial size, the right saline volume for the target concentration, the right storage window, and one vial per patient per session. Clinics and distributors who want documentation, batch information or wholesale supply for Korean and international aesthetic products can contact the HolyPath team through our inquiry page.
References
- DYSPORT (abobotulinumtoxinA) prescribing information, US FDA (Drugs@FDA), 2023 label
- Dysport data sheet, Medsafe (New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority)
This article is for informational purposes for licensed medical professionals and distributors. It is not medical advice. Treatments should be performed only by qualified practitioners in accordance with local regulations.