Two people in Illinois were hospitalized after receiving injections that may have been a fake version of Botox.
On April 8, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) sent out a press release asking health care facilities to be on the lookout for people exhibiting symptoms of “stagnation” after two people reported receiving injections in LaSalle County of Botox or “a similar possibly counterfeit product” before being admitted to the hospital .
“Illinois residents should be cautious when considering cosmetic treatments,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra in the announcement. “Getting these treatments in unlicensed, unapproved settings can put you or your loved ones at serious risk for health problems.”
“Please seek cosmetic services only under the care of licensed professionals who are trained to perform these procedures and use FDA-approved products,” she continued. “If you are experiencing health problems after a recent cosmetic treatment, contact your health care provider immediately for help and assistance.”
Botulism is a rare but serious disease caused by a toxin that attacks the body’s nerves. Centers for Disease Control. Symptoms include weakness around the eyes, face, mouth and throat, which can spread to other areas of the body, such as the neck, arms and trunk, and even weaken the muscles used for breathing . This can lead to difficulty breathing and death.
The IDPH said the two people reported symptoms “similar” to botulism, including blurred/double vision, an aged face, fatigue, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing and a hoarse voice after their injections.
Both said they had received the injections from a LaSalle County registered nurse who was “performing outside of her duties.”
IDPH noted that similar cases had also been reported by Tennessee Department of Health (TDH), though he did not say whether those cases were related to the ones in Illinois.
The TDH issued a statement last week noting that four people reported botulism symptoms, which preliminary investigations indicated occurred as a result of injecting “fake” Botox products.
Both health departments said they were asking health providers to report botulism cases along with the patient’s botox injection history and information such as “injection sites, number of doses administered” and “product used.”
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IDPH noted that botulinum toxin — which is the main ingredient in Botox and is a substance that relaxes facial muscles — can only be injected by licensed practitioners according to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Doctors and nurses are on the IDFPR list, while cosmetologists and beauticians are not.
He noted that health care providers who administer Botox should ensure that the product they received is “authorized” by Allergan, the FDA-approved manufacturer of Botox.
