The FDA has listed ways to identify counterfeit Botox products|Marco Verch; FDA|CC BY 2.0
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are warning people about the rising number of fake Botox shots administered by people not trained to do the job. These injections, dubbed “faux-tox,” are landing people in emergency rooms around the country.
These counterfeit drugs are often given by unlicensed professionals in non-medical settings like homes and spas.
Botox, short for Botulinum toxin, is a neurotoxic protein. In medicine, it is primarily used to reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles and fine lines. Once injected, Botox temporarily paralyzes the muscles responsible for wrinkles and creases.
Just last week, three individuals in NYC required emergency care after receiving fake Botox injections in their face, neck, upper back, or armpits.
The CDC reported similar cases across 11 states, with at least 22 individuals experiencing adverse reactions over the last six months.
All affected individuals were women aged 25 to 59, receiving injections in non-healthcare settings.
Within days or weeks of getting the treatment, the three reported symptoms like slurred speech, double vision, drooping of skin, difficulty swallowing, respiratory issues and muscle weakness.
Customers unable to afford the real, licensed Botox, which averages between $300 to $600 a treatment, opt for cheaper drugs that promise the same results.
The FDA lists ways to identify counterfeit Botox products
- The outer carton and vial indicate 150-unit doses, which is not a unit made by Botox maker AbbVie.
- The outer carton language is not English.
- The outer carton displays the active ingredient as “Botulinum Toxin Type A” instead of “OnabotulinumtoxinA.”
- The outer carton and vial contain lot number C3709C3.