Feds warn on fake Botox

U S medical regulators on Wednesday sent warning letters to websites selling counterfeit or unapproved versions of Botox and similar injectable drugs commonly used to smooth wrinkles The Food and Drug Administration noted it was taking action after receiving reports of injuries in connection with the products including toxic side effects Botox is a diluted purified form of botulinum one of the greater part toxic substances in the world The ingredient works by temporarily blocking nerve signals and causing muscles to relax While most of famously approved for cosmetic use Botox is also approved in the U S for a number of therapeutic conditions including muscle spasms eye disorders and migraines The FDA warning letters mostly went to cosmetic websites In each development the FDA disclosed the companies were offering unofficial or mislabeled versions of Botox-like drugs that haven t been approved by the agency In addition to the original drug introduced by Allergan in the FDA has approved several competing versions FDA-approved Botox drugs carry the agency s the majority serious warning a boxed label alerting doctors and patients that the medications can cause serious or life-threatening side effects In rare cases the toxin can spread beyond the injection site to other parts of the body paralyzing or weakening muscles needed for breathing and swallowing Signs of botulism include difficulty swallowing or breathing slurred speech and muscle weakness Those features can occur several hours after an injection In a press release Wednesday the FDA disclosed patients should only receive the drugs from fitness professionals who are licensed and trained to administer them Patients experiencing signs of botulism should seek immediate biological care the agency noted