At least nine people have been hospitalized in nine states after receiving injections of counterfeit or mishandled botulinum toxin primarily for cosmetic purposes. All affected individuals were women aged 25 to 59 and received injections in non-healthcare settings or from unlicensed individuals. Symptoms reported include vision changes, drooping eyelids, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, slurred speech, difficulty breathing, fatigue, and weakness, similar to botulism.
The FDA emphasizes that genuine Botox by AbbVie is safe and effective, with no reported adverse events linked to it. Healthcare providers are urged to be vigilant, checking products for signs of counterfeiting and advising patients to only receive treatments from licensed providers using FDA-approved products in accredited healthcare settings.
Clinicians encountering patients with symptoms consistent with botulism should notify their health departments and be aware of procedures for consultation and antitoxin release. Consumers and healthcare providers are encouraged to report any adverse events related to medications, including suspected counterfeit ones, to the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program