Counterfeit or mishandled Botox injections linked to harmful reactions in nine states

Nineteen people in the United States experienced harmful reactions after receiving cosmetic injections known as Botox from unlicensed or untrained individuals or in non-medical settings. Some individuals received counterfeit or mishandled products. Nine people were hospitalized and four received botulism antitoxin due to concerns of toxin spreading beyond the injection site. The incidents occurred in nine different states. The affected individuals were all females between the ages of 25 and 59, with almost all receiving the injections for cosmetic purposes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, along with state and local health departments and the US Food and Drug Administration, are investigating the reports. The CDC advises caution when seeking these injections and recommends verifying the provider’s licensing, training, FDA approval of the product, and reliability of its source. Botulism, caused by toxins released by bacteria attacking the nervous system, can have severe symptoms and may be fatal if untreated. Botox contains the Clostridium botulinum bacteria and is approved for cosmetic use by licensed healthcare providers.