MUMBAI: Wrinkle-reducing drug Botox has so far found more users in the age group of 30 to 40 years in India, despite a marketing campaign and messages targetting people aged above that category.

"In India, the market has been found to be getting younger and a majority of those undergoing cosmetic treatment of Botox are in the age bracket of 30 to 40 years," Rajinder Nagi of Allergan Inc, manufacturer of the drug said.

"The drug is cleared for patients in the age group of 18 to 65 years and it is targetted at the older segment of the population. But then a lot of people, many of whom are working professionals with large disposable incomes, want to look younger these days," Nagi said.

Mumbai and Delhi have been the major centres where the sale of Botox has been maximum, while the market in the East and South India is expected to grow soon, he said.

The wrinkle-reducing drug, whose effect lasts for six to nine months, costs about Rs 16,500 per vial, but it has not been a deterrent for customers, officials said.

In addition to its cosmetic application, the drug has found application in treatment of ailments like cerebral palsy and other muscle-related ailments but the cosmetic segment will remain crucial, Nagi said.

Almost 20,000 patients received Botox injections in the last year and it is expected to increase to almost one lakh in the future, he said.