April 12, 2024
2 minutes reading
Basic foods:
- At least four people have been hospitalized for botulism-like illness after Botox injections.
- The warnings state that fake Botox injections can lead to serious complications.
The American Academy of Dermatology Association and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Association issued official statements in response to reports of patients being hospitalized for botulism from fake Botox injections.
On April 10, NBC News reported that the CDC is ready to alert doctors across the country about fake Botox (botulinum toxin, Allergan) injections that have already hospitalized at least four people. According to the news report, the CDC said it is coordinating a “multistate outbreak investigation of some botulism-like illnesses in several states” caused by non-dispensary botulism injections.
Two people in Illinois were hospitalized after experiencing symptoms similar to botulism, including blurred/double vision, droopy face, fatigue, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing and hoarse voice after botulinum toxin injections by a registered nurse who was acting outside of her authority.
In Colorado, Denver health officials are investigating a case of botulism-like illness after an unlicensed provider injected a patient with suspected botulinum toxin.
Similarly, the Tennessee Department of Health identified four patients who exhibited botulism-like signs and symptoms, two of whom were hospitalized. According to the ongoing investigation by the Tennessee Department of Health, the product dispensed was likely counterfeit.
Today, president of AAD Semal R. Desai, MD, FAAD, issued a statement in response to the reports:
“The Association of the American Academy of Dermatology is concerned about reports of patients suffering from botulism-like illnesses after procedures using a possible fake botulism toxin. The alarming increase in counterfeit injectables poses a serious threat to patient safety, potentially leading to serious complications such as vision problems, blindness, infection or even stroke. These complications highlight the urgent need for patients to carefully understand who they choose to perform Botox procedures.
“Dermatologists pioneered its use [botulinum toxin] to relax wrinkles and treat conditions such as hyperhidrosis, and have a long history of safety and efficacy,” Desai’s statement continued. “Botox injections are a medical procedure and should only be performed in an office setting by board-certified dermatologists or an appropriately trained non-medical clinician under the direct on-site supervision of a board-certified dermatologist.”
The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDSA) also issued a statement, calling on states to “enhance patient safety through increased oversight of medical care in all settings.” President of ASDSA Seth LARGE. MatarasoMD, made a statement in the press release:
“ASDSA takes patient safety very seriously, and we urge states to take this into account when regulating medical practice in all care settings. It is important to ensure that all patients are receiving FDA-approved products and not counterfeit or otherwise unsafe treatments. The lack of regulation and enforcement has enabled many to offer medical procedures for cosmetic purposes outside of their training and expertise.”
Karan Lal, DO, MS, FAAD, a dual board certified pediatric and cosmetic dermatologist, echoed similar concerns based on his experience.
“The truth is, fake botox can happen to anyone,” he told Healio. “It’s very easy to get bogus botox and other injectables.”
Lal warns patients that there are providers who practice illegally by doing these procedures in their homes and/or buying botulinum toxin from other countries because of lower costs.
“Dermatologists and plastic surgeons adhere to certain ethical principles governed by our medical licensing boards,” he said. “The only people patients should go to for injectables if they want safe treatments with the ability to manage complications are dermatologists, surgeons, ophthalmologists, and ear, nose, and throat surgeons.”
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