Botox Labels Changed To Warn Toxins Can Spread Through Body
Posted January 13, 2009 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Health Canada is changing the labels on Botox products to warn users of potential “distant toxin spread” that could travel throughout the body and even prove to be fatal.
The department says symptoms of the spread include muscle weakness, swallowing difficulties, pneumonia, speech disorders and breathing problems and came to light in a recent safety review conducted by Botox and Botox Cosmetic products from by Allergan Inc. of Irvine, California.
Botox itself is approved for multiple uses, including the treatment of muscle spasms, eye and foot pain and excessive sweating. The cosmetic form is typically used for esthetic purposes like the tightening of facial wrinkles.
And while there have been no medically confirmed cases of distant toxin spread north of the border, Health Canada wants users to understand the potential consequences and insists Canadians who use Botox immediately seek help if they develop swallowing, speech or breathing problems after use.
Those with a history of neurological disorders, swallowing difficulties and-or breathing problems are especially recommended to proceed with extreme caution when using the products, which are the only botulinum toxin products marketed in Canada.
In 2008 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration also warned of the distant spread phenomenon which has been reported in both in FDA-approved and non-approved uses of Botox.
Health Canada says it will continue to monitor the safety of Botox and Botox Cosmetic products.
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