Fake Botox Resulted in Illness Across 9 States

After getting Botox injections,19 people across nine states have reported harmful adverse effects of Botulism. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), unsafe counterfeit versions of Botox injections had been found in multiple states and had been administered to people for cosmetic reasons. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is coordinating an investigation into sickness linked with Botox injections, across several states.

Out of the 19 people who received the Botox injection, 9 were hospitalized, and 4 were treated with the Botulism Antitoxin. The antitoxin is used to reduce the effect of the Botulinum toxin that could have spread beyond the injection site. According to the reports of CDC, the harmful reactions included blurry and double vision, drooping eyelids, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, slurred speech, difficulty breathing, tiredness, and weakness.

According to various sources, the injections were administered in a "non-medical setting" such as cosmetic spas or at home.

The reactions to fake Botox have been reported in Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee, and Washington so far, the agency said.

A similar case occurred last week in two states, Illinois and Tennessee, half a dozen cases involving botulism-like symptoms were reported following shots of potentially counterfeit products. After that, another 13 cases have been reported in an another seven states, with all involving women injected with fake Botox by licensed and unlicensed individuals in non-medical settings, such as at homes or spas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Along with Botox manufacturer AbbVie, FDA is working to identify, investigate and remove suspected fake Botox found in the U.S.

Currently, there's nothing to indicate the sickness are linked to the company's FDA-approved Botox, because the genuine product are safe and effective for its approved uses, the FDA noted.

Protect yourself Against Counterfeit Botox

According to the FDA, there are several signs of a mishandled product that may appear on packaging for fake Botox:

• The outer carton and vial contain lot number C3709C3.

• The outer carton displays the active ingredient as “Botulinum Toxin Type A” instead of “OnabotulinumtoxinA.”

• The outer carton and vial indicates 150-unit doses, which is not a unit made by AbbVie or Allergan.

• The outer carton contains language that is not English.

If there is any doubt, individuals should not get the injection and if there are any symptoms of botulism, medical attention should be sought immediately.

(Input from various sources) 

(Rehash/Dr Pragati Priya/MSM)