FDA issues warning about counterfeit Botox

By Rosie Wilson

The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has issued a warning, following the distribution of counterfeit Botox in the U.S.

Reportedly, the counterfeit Botox may have been distributed to practitioners and clinics nationwide. The FDA has stressed that this version is not FDA approved and is therefore unsafe for use.

The counterfeit Botox can be identified by the vials, which are missing their lot numbers and the packaging is missing entries next to ‘LOT: MFG: EXP’. It also indicates that the active ingredient is ‘Botulinum Toxin Type A’, as opposed to ‘OnabotulinumtoxinA’ on the FDA-approved version.

In an official statement, the FDA said:

“There is no indication that Allergan’s FDA-version is at risk, and the genuine product should be considered safe and effective for its intended and approved uses.”

For practitioners who are concerned this may affect them, the FDA recommend checking the Allergan website (http://www.authenticbotoxcosmetic.com/) to ensure their product is genuine.