A New Short-Duration Botulinum Toxin Gets EU Approval

A new short-duration botulinum toxin, sold as Boey (trenibotulinumtoxinE), has been approved by the European Commission for use in Europe. It is a rapid-onset option distinct from traditional Botox-type products, and it is the first botulinum toxin serotype E product approved in Europe, with a much faster onset and shorter effect than standard toxins.

How this short-duration botulinum toxin differs from Botox

Unlike the botulinum toxin type A products used in most clinics today, including Botox, Boey is derived from a different botulinum serotype (type E). According to the approval announcement from Allergan Aesthetics (AbbVie), results may appear as early as eight hours after treatment, with the effect typically wearing off within about two to three weeks. It is approved specifically for moderate to severe frown lines (glabellar lines) between the eyebrows in adults.

Why a faster, shorter toxin matters

For some patients, the multi-month duration of standard botulinum toxin is a benefit; for others, especially first-time patients, it can feel like a big commitment. A genuinely short-acting option gives people a lower-stakes way to see how they respond to relaxing a muscle, without waiting months for it to wear off if they are unhappy with the result. It also follows Health Canada’s authorisation of the same product in June 2026.

What this means for patients in the Maldives

European approval is an early step, and it will take time before such a product reaches clinics outside Europe and Canada, if at all in the near term. For now, standard botulinum toxin remains the well-established, extensively studied option here in Hulhumale, and any newer product would need to build a similar safety track record in our humid, high-UV climate before we would consider offering it. If you are curious about how Botox duration and dosing work today, our guide to Botox maintenance scheduling and our Botox service page explain what to expect from the current standard of care.

If you have questions about Botox duration or whether it suits you, feel free to message us on WhatsApp.

Frequently asked questions

Is this new short-duration toxin available at the clinic?

No, not currently. It has only recently received European and Canadian approval and has not yet reached wider international availability, including the Maldives.

Is a shorter-acting toxin safer than standard Botox?

Not necessarily safer, just different in duration. Standard botulinum toxin type A has decades of safety data behind it, which any newer product will need time to match.

Sources

AbbVie: Allergan Aesthetics receives approval for Boey (trenibotulinumtoxinE), for use in Europe

Mahmoud Mohamed Samir is a digital marketing specialist at BrightSeen Marketing Agency, the agency that runs this clinic’s Google search and AI search visibility (SEO and GEO), Meta Ads and website. Medical content is reviewed by Dr. Alaa Zidan.

This article is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for personal medical advice. To discuss your skin and treatment options, please book a consultation.