Fake Botox Injections Result in Severe Health Complications

A new CDC report has highlighted the dangers of receiving Botox injections from unlicensed individuals in non-medical settings. The report reveals that counterfeit Botox, administered by untrained people, has caused severe health issues for numerous women.

A particularly alarming case involved a woman who ended up on a ventilator due to fake Botox. Seventeen women across nine states have experienced symptoms such as blurry vision and difficulty swallowing and breathing after receiving what they believed were Botox injections. Thirteen of these women were hospitalized, with several requiring intensive care.

The CDC report detailed instances in New York City and Tennessee. One woman from Kentucky was hospitalized in Tennessee after receiving counterfeit Botox at a relative’s home. The women affected ranged in age from 26 to 55.

Dr. Christine Thomas, a medical director at the Tennessee Department of Health, described the situation as a “perfect storm” of unlicensed individuals administering counterfeit products. Thomas noted that some patients were admitted to intensive care units due to concerns about their breathing.

NBC News reported a disturbing incident in Colorado where a 49-year-old woman experienced blurred vision and weakness after receiving fake Botox. Nine days later, she was hospitalized with severe swallowing and breathing difficulties. Doctors were unaware of her Botox injections until a family member mentioned it, likely saving her life.

Grace Nelson, a disease intervention supervisor in Denver, explained that the woman’s condition was critical, and the information provided by her family led to the administration of botulinum antitoxin, which prevented further damage. The woman required over two weeks of hospitalization and additional rehabilitation.

Medical professionals are increasingly concerned about the prevalence of unregulated medical spas and the risks they pose. Dr. Kate Dee, founder of Glow Medispa in Seattle, expressed her worries about fake Botox ordered online. George Karavetsos, a former director of the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations, confirmed that counterfeit Botox has been a problem in the U.S. for over 20 years.

Efforts to curb the influx of counterfeit Botox have been largely unsuccessful. Karavetsos emphasized the importance of consumer education to prevent such incidents.

Tips for Safe Botox Injections:

• Verify the Vials: Check for misspellings and inconsistencies on the bottles. The FDA advises that genuine Botox should list the active ingredient as “OnabotulinumtoxinA” and be printed in English.
• Licensed Providers Only: Ensure that Botox injections are administered in a licensed medical setting by a licensed provider. A cosmetology license is not sufficient.
• Beware of Low Prices: Prices significantly lower than the average ($15 per unit) are a red flag. Deals that seem too good to be true likely indicate illegal activity.

Dr. Dee warned that facilities offering Botox at prices as low as $6 to $9 per unit are probably operating illegally. She stressed the importance of being vigilant and ensuring the safety and legitimacy of Botox treatments.

By following these guidelines, individuals can protect themselves from the dangers of counterfeit Botox and ensure they receive safe and effective treatments.

References:

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Harmful Reactions to Counterfeit Botox Injections. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep, 73(27). Available from:
   https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7327a3.htm?s_cid=mm7327a3_w.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Botulism Outbreaks from Counterfeit Botox. Available from:
   https://www.cdc.gov/botulism/outbreaks/harmful-reactions-botox-injections/details.html.
3. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Counterfeit Version of Botox Found in Multiple States. Available from:
   https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/counterfeit-version-botox-found-multiple-states.
4. NBC News. (2024). Fake Botox Put Woman on Ventilator. Available from:
   https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/fake-botox-ventilator-untrained-professional-hospital-rcna160739.