News Release

XEOMIN® Approved For Expanded Indication in Pediatric Upper Limb Spasticity Patients with Cerebral Palsy Following FDA Label Update

June 26, 2026

  • Label update expands XEOMIN® use for pediatric upper limb spasticity to include children with cerebral palsy
  • This update advances access to spasticity care for children and families, reflecting Merz Therapeutics’ ongoing commitment to the movement disorder community

RALEIGH, N.C. – June 26, 2026 – Merz Therapeutics announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved an update to the U.S. Prescribing Information for XEOMIN® (incobotulinumtoxinA), expanding the pediatric upper limb spasticity (ULS) indication to include children and adolescents aged 2 years and older living with spasticity associated with cerebral palsy (CP). This update represents an important step in supporting long-term spasticity care for children and their families.

CP affects about 1 in 345 children in the U.S., and spasticity is a common condition associated with CP that can limit upper-limb function, impacting daily tasks such as dressing, writing and handling objects.1,²

“Spasticity associated with cerebral palsy can place a significant burden on children and families, affecting comfort, independence and participation in everyday routines,” said Len Paolillo, President, Merz Therapeutics, North America. “This label update expands the opportunity to treat pediatric upper limb spasticity in patients with cerebral palsy. Our focus is on broadening access to meaningful treatment options, so more children and families can benefit from care.”

“The efficacy, safety and tolerability of XEOMIN® have been well-established for more than a decade across multiple therapeutic uses,” said Rebecca McKinnon, Ph.D., Vice President, Medical Affairs, Merz Therapeutics, North America. “For families living with cerebral palsy-related spasticity, care decisions aren’t one-time moments—they’re part of long-term management. This label update helps expand an important option for pediatric upper limb spasticity, reinforcing our commitment to bringing meaningful, science-backed treatment choices to the community.”

XEOMIN® was first approved by the FDA in 2010 for the treatment of adults with cervical dystonia, based on clinical studies that showed XEOMIN® improved severity, disability and pain related to cervical dystonia. Since then, XEOMIN® has expanded to multiple therapeutic uses in the U.S., including in the field of spasticity, and has helped more than 7.7 million patients in more than 70 countries.

Merz Therapeutics is committed to ensuring XEOMIN® is accessible and affordable to all patients through our MERZ CONNECT™ savings and assistance programs. Learn more at https://patient.xeomin.com/patient-assistance/.

XEOMIN® (incobotulinumtoxinA) IMPORTANT CONSUMER SAFETY INFORMATION

 What is XEOMIN?

XEOMIN is a prescription medicine:

  • that is injected into glands that make saliva and is used to treat long-lasting (chronic) drooling (sialorrhea) in adults and in children 2 years of age or older.
  • that is injected into muscles and used to:
    • treat increased muscle stiffness in the arm because of upper limb spasticity in adults and children 2 years of age and older.
    • treat the abnormal head position and neck pain with cervical dystonia (CD) in adults.
    • treat abnormal spasm of the eyelids (blepharospasm) in adults.

It is not known if XEOMIN is safe and effective in children younger than:

  • 2 years of age for the treatment of chronic sialorrhea
  • 2 years of age for the treatment of upper limb spasticity
  • 18 years of age for the treatment of cervical dystonia or blepharospasm

What is the most important information I should know about XEOMIN?

  • XEOMIN may cause serious side effects that can be life threatening. Problems swallowing, speaking, or breathing can happen within hours to weeks after an injection of XEOMIN if the muscles that you use to breathe and swallow become weak. Death can happen as a complication if you have severe problems with swallowing or breathing after treatment with XEOMIN.
    • People with certain breathing problems may need to use muscles in their neck to help them breathe and may be at greater risk for serious breathing problems with XEOMIN.
    • Swallowing problems may last for several months, and during that time you may need a feeding tube to receive food and water. If swallowing problems are severe, food or liquids may go into your lungs. People who already have swallowing or breathing problems before receiving XEOMIN have the highest risk of getting these problems.
  • Spread of toxin effects. In some cases, the effect of botulinum toxin may affect areas of the body away from the injection site and cause symptoms of a serious condition called botulism. The symptoms of botulism include: loss of strength and muscle weakness all over the body, double vision, blurred vision and drooping eyelids, hoarseness or change or loss of voice, trouble saying words clearly, loss of bladder control, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing.

These symptoms can happen hours to weeks after you receive an injection of XEOMIN. These problems could make it unsafe for you to drive a car or do other dangerous activities.

Do not take XEOMIN if you: are allergic to XEOMIN or any of the ingredients in XEOMIN (botulinum toxin type A, human albumin, and sucrose), had an allergic reaction to any other botulinum toxin product, or have a skin infection at the planned injection site.

Before receiving XEOMIN, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have a disease that affects your muscles and nerves (such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease], myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome)
  • have had any side effect from any other botulinum toxin in the past
  • have a breathing problem, such as asthma or emphysema
  • have a history of swallowing problems or inhaling food or fluid into your lungs (aspiration)
  • have drooping eyelids
  • have had eye surgery
  • have had surgery on your face
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if XEOMIN can harm your unborn baby.
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if XEOMIN passes into breast milk.

Using XEOMIN with certain other medicines may cause serious side effects. Do not start any new medicines until you have told your doctor that you have received XEOMIN in the past.

Especially tell your doctor if you:

  • have received any other botulinum toxin product in the last four months
  • have received injections of botulinum toxin in the past. Be sure your doctor knows exactly which product you received. The dose of XEOMIN may be different from other botulinum toxin products that you have received.
  • have recently received an antibiotic by injection or inhalation
  • take muscle relaxants
  • take an allergy or cold medicine
  • take a sleep medicine

What should I avoid while taking XEOMIN?

XEOMIN may cause loss of strength or general muscle weakness, blurred vision, or drooping eyelids within hours to weeks of taking XEOMIN.  If this happens, do not drive a car, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities.

What are the possible Side Effects of XEOMIN?

XEOMIN can cause serious side effects including:

  • Injury to the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye) in people treated for blepharospasm. People who receive XEOMIN to treat spasm of the eyelid may have reduced blinking that can cause a sore on their cornea or other problems of the cornea. Call your healthcare provider or get medical care right away if you have eye pain or irritation after treatment with XEOMIN.
  • XEOMIN may cause other serious side effects including allergic reactions. Symptoms of an allergic reaction to XEOMIN may include: itching, rash, redness, swelling, wheezing, trouble breathing, or dizziness or feeling faint.  Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you get wheezing or trouble breathing, or if you get dizzy or faint.

 The most common side effects of XEOMIN in adults with chronic sialorrhea include:

  • needing to have a tooth pulled (extracted)
  • dry mouth
  • diarrhea
  • high blood pressure

The most common side effects of XEOMIN in children 2 to 17 years of age with chronic sialorrhea include:

  • bronchitis
  • nausea
  • headache
  • vomiting

The most common side effects of XEOMIN in adults with upper limb spasticity include:

  • seizure
  • nasal congestion, sore throat and runny nose
  • dry mouth
  • upper respiratory infection

The most common side effects of XEOMIN in children 2 to 17 years of age with upper limb spasticity include:

  • nasal congestion, sore throat and runny nose
  • bronchitis

The most common side effects of XEOMIN in adults with cervical dystonia include:

  • difficulty swallowing
  • neck pain
  • muscle weakness
  • pain at the injection site
  • muscle and bone pain

The most common side effects of XEOMIN in adults with blepharospasm include:

  • drooping of the eyelid
  • dry eye
  • vision problems
  • dry mouth

These are not all the possible side effects of XEOMIN. 

  • Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
  • You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

The risk information provided here is not comprehensive. To learn more:

  • Talk to your health care provider or pharmacist.
  • Visit XEOMINPI.com to obtain the Full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide
  • Call 1-855-4MERZTX (1-855-463-7989)

About Merz Therapeutics

Merz Therapeutics GmbH is dedicated to delivering better outcomes for more patients. With science as its foundation and the patient experience as its focus, the company relentlessly pursues innovative treatments and partnerships to address unmet needs in movement disorders, neurodegenerative conditions and other health conditions that severely impact patients’ quality of life.

Merz Therapeutics is headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, and is active in over 80 countries, with a North America affiliate in Raleigh, North Carolina. Merz Therapeutics GmbH is part of the Merz Group, a privately held, family-owned company with a 117-year legacy. With passion and purpose, Merz Therapeutics continues to advance care in specialty neurology in ways that benefit both patients and society. Please visit www.merztherapeutics.com.

 

References

 

Press Contact:

Merz Therapeutics
Nicole Lovern
Corporate Communications
6601 Six Forks Road, Suite 400, Raleigh, NC 27615
(571) 442-9665
Nicole.Lovern@merz.com

 

Related articles