I got Botox injections from one brand. Can I switch to another brand?

Nabi
1 hour ago
4 min read

Many people who have had Botox injections before often wonder, “If I’ve had one brand of Botox injection before, can I switch to a different brand next time?”

This concern stems from the fact that different brands of Botox have different names. Some people hear that the dosages vary. Some people fear that changing the product will interfere each other, leading to a different result, so they hesitate to make a decision. This is despite the fact that all brands of Botox work on the same principle: to relax muscles and reduce wrinkles.

This article will take you through a comprehensive look at whether switching brands is possible, what precautions to take, and how to prepare if you're considering switching brands .

First, let's make a long story short: Yes, you can ✅ switch Botox brands. If you plan your "timing, amount, and the areas injected" properly with a specialist, there are some important details you should know before switching. Read on.

1) Why is it possible to “change brands”?

Almost every brand of Botox on the beauty market is Botulinum toxin type A. The mechanism is the same: it inhibits the release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, causing the muscle to relax and reduce wrinkles (in other words, it “tells the muscle to rest”).
Many brands, especially Korean ones, use the same Botox strain. For example, Neuronox itself is a Botulinum toxin type A registered in Korea, clearly stating that it is derived from the Clostridium botulinum Hall strain, like many other strains such as Nabota, Aestox, Hugel, Hutox, Botulax (Korean MFDS registry data).
The only difference is the manufacturing process, which uses different technology. The purity numbers of Botox vary. However, the purity values of many Korean Botox brands are already very high, and many well-known brands have a low chance of resistance, provided the injection dosage is set and the injection intervals are appropriate.

This means that in principle, "different brands but the same strain work similarly", so it is possible to switch brands if the timing and dosage are managed correctly.

2) But be careful, the “units” are not the same! (A point that people often miss)

The units of each brand may not be equal. Do not compare them . — It is stated in the drug label of many brands, such as BOTOX (Allergan) , Nabota and DYSPORT , that Units are not interchangeable, meaning that 1 unit of one brand ≠ 1 unit of another brand. The doctor must recalculate each time.

Practical conclusion: Change brand = change dosage formula. Don't use the "same number" from the previous brand.

3) How long should I wait before changing?

The labeling indicates a minimum of ~12 weeks (3 months) wait before repeating/re-injecting in multiple indications (to allow the effects of the previous cycle to dissipate and reduce risk).

Clinical terminology: Most doctors will schedule a “review period” of about 3–4 months, after which they will consider changing brands or adjusting the plan if necessary.

4) Is it easier to become “drug resistant” after changing brands?

The risk of neutralizing antibodies depends on the dose, frequency, and product composition (e.g., complexing proteins). A 2024 review article points out that dose and frequency factors are very important— more frequent/higher doses may increase the risk (although the overall risk remains low).
The chance of Botox resistance from changing brands is low, but injecting too frequently, even with the same brand, is more concerning for Botox resistance.

Prevention Tip: Avoid “frequent injections” or “monthly Botox injections.” Stick to the plan in a 3-4 month cycle unless your doctor determines there is a medical reason to adjust the plan.

5) How does Neuronox compare to other famous brands?

A comparative study with BOTOX for blepharospasm found that the efficacy and safety were similar (this does not mean "equal units", but when used appropriately ).

6) Differences that you should discuss with your doctor before “switching brands”

Diffusion – Some brands have different diffusion levels, which affects the precision of the spot placement.
How long does it take to start working? – It depends on the product and each person’s body.
Excipients/Solubilizers – Different brands use different excipients, affecting handling/stability and (slightly) immunogenicity (mechanistic evidence for co-proteins affecting immunogenicity).

7) Practical advice (read and follow)

A. Before coming to the clinic

Prepare the previous “injection history”: brand–unit–position–date of injection.
Allow enough time: at least ~12 weeks from the previous cycle (unless your doctor specifically recommends).

B. During the evaluation with the doctor

Discuss clearly what you were satisfied with/dissatisfied with in the previous round so that the doctor can adjust the position and quantity.
Be careful about requesting to “use the same unit number” as the units may not be the same across brands (a doctor should be the one to calculate the conversion).

C. After injection

Don't judge too early—most companies give full results in about 14 days (different brands may be a little faster or slower).
If there is a “touch-up,” the doctor will schedule an appointment as appropriate (do not apply Botox frequently yourself to reduce the risk of immune system issues).

8) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: I got Botox injections from brand A a month ago. Can I switch to Neuronox?

A: Generally , it is not recommended to wait close to 3 months (~12 weeks) to avoid overlapping effects and to reduce the risk of unnecessary immune/side effects.

Q: Will Neuronox's results be as good as other top products?

A: It depends on the injection plan and individual body structure. Comparative studies with BOTOX in some indications have found similar results when used correctly by an experienced doctor.

Q: Can I mix multiple brands at once?

A: In medical practice, mixing at one time is not recommended because it complicates evaluation and safety, and the units of each brand are not the same (to avoid confusion).

9) Things to avoid (for safety and stable results)

“Follow up every week”/Inject too frequently— increases the risk of immunity unnecessarily, making it easy to be resistant.
Choose a clinic/injector who understands the inequality of units and has actual experience with multiple brands (it's safer to switch brands).

10) In conclusion, I am relieved.

You can change the brand from one brand to another.
Respect the “3 Rules”: space out (~12 weeks) → let your doctor recalculate (because the units are not equal) → don’t boost too often.
If you complete these three steps, your chances of getting smooth, safe, and consistent results will significantly increase.