FDA NEWS UPDATE February 8, 2008
FDA issued an early communication about an ongoing safety review regarding Botox and Botox Cosmetic. FDA has received reports of systemic adverse reactions including respiratory compromise and death following the use of botulinum toxins types A and B for both FDA-approved and unapproved uses.
The reactions reported are suggestive of botulism, which occurs when botulinum toxin spreads in the body beyond the site where it was injected. The most serious cases had outcomes that included hospitalization and death, and occurred mostly in children treated for cerebral palsy-associated limb spasticity. Use of botulinum toxins for treatment of limb spasticity (severe arm and leg muscle spasms) in children or adults is not an approved use in the U.S. See the FDA's "Early Communication about an Ongoing Safety Review" for Agency recommendations and additional information for healthcare professionals.
Read the complete 2008 MedWatch Safety Summary including a link to the FDA's Early Communication about an Ongoing Safety Review regarding this issue at: http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2008/safety08.htm#botox
Recent statistics have shown that the Botox treatment industry has generated over $1 billion per year in revenue. When an industry hits that threshold, it’s basically arrived as a viable market. Botox is seen as a viable option for many who are looking to defy nature’s law of aging, and it’s generally a quick and easy process of what usually involves an injection or set of injections that slow down the wrinkling process.
However, recent reports have surfaced that have drawn an unpleasant light onto this alleged ‘miracle’ substance, and the situation now could proceed along several pathways. Below is a brief look at Botox and the problems it’s encountered, but if you have been injured or are experiencing any side effects, seek immediate medical attention and then contact a defective products attorney to schedule an initial consultation.
The brands in question were from two separate companies, Allergan Inc's Botox and Solstice Neuroscience Inc's Myobloc. Each of these companies separately is a corporate giant, and each is quite aggressive in its marketing and overall positioning efforts, thereby exposing these brands to more people who could be at risk.
The controversy began when one of the most well-known consumer watchdog groups made a request to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to require the addition of a “Black Box” warning to the labels of these brands of Botox. The group in question is Public Citizen, which is a general consumer advocacy group that was founded in 1971 by Ralph Nader, one of the most widely-known consumer advocates in the world.
Public Citizen decided to take action after reviewing 180 reports that were sent to the FDA regarding patient problems with these brands of Botox, and aside from the plethora of serious side effects, including paralysis and aspiration pneumonia, 16 people were killed after using these products. Of those 16 deaths, four patients were under the age of 18.
| Jane says: | 2008-01-29 16:46:31 |
| I thought Botox was supposed to be a safe cosmetic procedure. this is very surprising. | |
| chantal cormier says: | 2008-02-12 14:20:51 |
| I use botox every 3 months for the purpose of a disease called spasmodic torticollis and that last treatment i had in January 08 has created some concern in terms of my ability to swallow. I have recently been to my family phsycian and he assured me that it was not the botox that created this problem he said that it was probably a progression of my torticolllis. I felt that it appeared coincidental that all of a sudden i could not swallow properly just after the treatment. He then tried to tell me that i have developed a symptom called \"orahporgngeal dysphagia\" I am going to look into this further. I have had botox treaments for the last 3 years with no adverse affects. In Jan i seen a different neruologist and he injected me differently than my last doctor since then my ability to swallo has been compromised. | |
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