You may have read the headlines recently– 22 people have been stricken with botulism after getting illegal fake botox in 11 different states. This includes 3 people here in the Seattle area. Why is this happening and how can you be sure you are not getting fake botox? I’m here to explain all about it.
First: why is Fake Botox in the news?
A nurse in Illinois was working outside the scope of her license, and ordered fake botox off the internet. The botox found in her possession was a box and vial that looked similar to real botox, but had some glaring differences– maybe not to the patient– but anyone who uses the real stuff would know that the vial looked fake. The label was wrong, the real name of the toxin was wrong, and the number of Units on the label was wrong. Investigations revealed similar vials of fake botox in 11 states and counting. We believe this to be just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to illegally obtained toxin.
What is Botulism?
In the old days, when our food supply was less safe, some food was contaminated with a bacterium called clostridium botulinum. This bacteria makes a neurotoxin that paralyzes muscles. It can cause weakness, and difficulty breathing. Enough of it will paralyze the diaphragm, and you’ll stop breathing and die.
Why would a nurse or anyone else buy fake botox?
Nurses cannot buy real botox. Nurses are not allowed by law to practice medicine on their own. They cannot diagnose or treat any condition, and they cannot prescribe medications, including botox. The only way for a nurse (or anyone who does not have a medical license) to buy it is illegally.
How are these places getting illegal botox?
There are several main sources of illegal botox. All are problematic, but one is definitely worse than the others:
- Counterfeit botox off the internet: these sources are dangerous and risky. Getting botulism from fake neurotoxin is the main reason people are in the hospital right now. We don’t know where they are being manufactured, but it is very easy to get it– especially if you look on alibaba– which is the Chinese equivalent of Amazon.
- Illegal Importation: Innumerable companies that look legitimate are illegally importing botox from foreign countries. This is illegal importation, and these companies are constantly changing– as they are shut down, still others pop up. This is also dangerous because although this may be real botox, it is not complying with shipping and storage standards– and could easily be damaged or expired product. Plus if there were ever an issue with your treatment, there would be no recourse because the toxin was illegally purchased.
- They may be stealing it. People who work in an aesthetic office during the day may go home with a few vials to support their side gig. Have you ever gone home with pens or printer paper from work? Well, these vials are small enough to take home without anyone noticing. According to one survey I read, 75% of medical spas are embezzled from.
How can I avoid ever getting fake botox?
- Ask to see the doctor or Nurse Practitioner or PA working with the doctor for your initial consultation. If there is none available at that particular place– do not go there. They are operating illegally. If they are cutting this essential corner– they are likely cutting other corners as well. If there is no doctor (or NP in some states), they can’t legally buy botox.
- Ask to see the vial– real botox comes in 50 or 100 unit vials (the fake botox found in Illinois was 150! Also– the label will be in English! One unlicensed injector was arrested for practicing medicine without a license– and his botox was labeled in Turkish.
- Be wary of any price that seems too good to be true. Real botox is expensive! If someone is offering botox at half price, it is probably fake.
- Go to a reputable medical office owned and run by a doctor (or Nurse Practitioner in some states). Avoid botox “parties” and people doing side-gigs. In order to buy real botox, you must have it delivered to a real medical office. You can’t get it delivered to a home or beauty salon.
Summary
- The problem with Fake Botox is more widespread that anyone previously thought, and people are falling very ill with botulism across the USA
- Ask to see the doctor or medical director in charge
- Ask to see the vial– it should be in english!
- Go to a reputable medical aesthetics office and avoid botox parties
