Fake Botox Has Sickened Patients Nationwide

Public health authorities are issuing a stark warning to Botox users as counterfeit versions of the injectable have surfaced in multiple U.S. states, causing harmful reactions and hospitalizations among nineteen individuals. All affected patients, ranging from 25 to 59 years old and predominantly female, received the injections for cosmetic purposes from untrained individuals or non-healthcare settings.

The CDC, FDA, and various health departments are actively investigating the sources of these counterfeits, which were likely purchased from unlicensed sources, posing significant risks including contamination and ineffectiveness. Read more about what to know from NPR here.