Both the CDC and the FDA have begun investigating "counterfeit" or mishandled botox injections after multiple people in different states experienced harmful reactions to them.
In line with this, the health agencies have released separate warnings against the treatment.
As of April 12, 2024, CDC reports nine states and 19 individuals reported adverse reactions to botulinum toxin injections.
New York, Florida, Colorado, Tennessee, Illinois, Nebraska, Kentucky, New Jersey, and Washington are among the states that have reported these reactions.
(Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images) Lyn Talent receives a free Botox injection during an event called "The Botox Bailout," where the first 50 recently laid-off workers could exchange their resumes for free Botox injections on June 5, 2009, in Arlington, Virginia.
Affected individuals have complained of experiencing drooping eyelids, double vision, dry lips, generalized weakness, breathing difficulties, slurred speech, and exhaustion.
Regulatory and public health experts have discovered that some individuals have gotten injections containing drugs that are either counterfeit or come from unreliable sources. The sources of these products are still being looked into.
In its announcement, the FDA states it is still investigating the situation and is working with the firm that makes Botox, AbbVie, to check into and remove any suspected fake Botox products that might be in the nation.
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Counterfeit Botox Victims
Because of worries that the botulinum toxin might have spread beyond the injection site, nine people (60%) were admitted to the hospital, and four people (21%) received botulism antitoxin treatment. After testing five individuals for botulism, none of the findings were positive.
The reports were from individuals who identified as females, with a median age of 39 and a range of ages from 25 to 59. Nineteen (95%) of the participants said they had received injections of botulinum toxin for aesthetic reasons.
Every subject reported getting these shots from unlicensed or unskilled persons or in non-medical settings, such as residences and spas.
The harmful reactions to Botox reportedly happen when people with and without licenses inject fake Botox in non-medical or unlicensed situations.
It looks like the products were bought from unapproved vendors. Drugs obtained from unapproved vendors may be mislabeled, dangerous, adulterated, inadequately transported and kept, ineffective, or contaminated.
Warnings Against Non-Medical Settings
Both the FDA and the CDC warn that the "counterfeit" botox could have been injected in non-medical settings, echoing previous warnings early this year when a medical spa boom in the US coincided with increasing cases of health complications.
These clinics, which provide anything from vitamin injections to hydrating IV infusions, have continually grown in number in the country.
Concerns have been expressed concerning the dangers of using experimental treatments and the oversight gaps that could result in health problems.
Emergency medicine specialist Dr. Richina Bicette-McCain of Baylor College of Medicine advises against trusting the unproven health claims "wellness" programs make.
She warns that the alleged benefits have not been scientifically demonstrated and advises customers to proceed cautiously.
In response to reports of patients getting serious infections and skin abnormalities from receiving illegal injections intended to break down fat, the FDA also released warnings.
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