Health officials warn of counterfeit Botox
California health officials Wednesday warned consumers about counterfeit Botox, which has been found in California and 10 other states and has caused multiple people to be hospitalized or seek medical care for serious reactions to the injections.
“Counterfeit or incorrectly administered Botox, even in small amounts, can result in serious health problems and even death,” California Public Health Officer Dr. Tomás Aragón said in a statement. “Consumers should only get injections of FDAapproved Botox from licensed and trained professionals in healthcare settings. Botox should never be purchased online or through unlicensed individuals.”
The warning comes amid a multistate investigation — led by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state and local health departments — into counterfeit and mishandled Botox. As of April 18, 22 people from 11 states have reported harmful reactions after receiving Botox from unlicensed or untrained individuals or in non-health care settings, such as homes and spas, according to the CDC.
These events occurred between November 2023 and March 2024 and were reported in California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee, Texas and Washington. Among the 22 victims, 11 were hospitalized. There have been no reported deaths. All reports were from women, ranging from 25 to 59 years old, who received the injections from unlicensed or untrained individuals in homes, spas and other non-health care settings.
California health officials urge consumers who are considering Botox to confirm with their health care provider or setting that they are receiving Botox from an authorized source, and to verify that the health care professional is licensed and trained to administer Botox. In California, Botox can be given by a doctor, registered nurse or physician assistant under a doctor’s supervision.
It’s not clear how many people have received counterfeit Botox or other cosmetic injections from unlicensed spas. But anecdotally, the practice appears to be on the rise. Last year, a Bay Area woman died after receiving a buttock-enhancing injection at a hotel from an unlicensed individual. And also last year, prosecutors in Santa Clara County charged a San Jose couple for illegally administering Botox and lip fillers to clients out of an unlicensed medical spa.
Health officials say consumers and health care providers should be on the lookout for the following signs of counterfeit Botox:
• The outer packaging displays the active ingredient as Botulinum Toxin Type A instead of OnabotulinumtoxinA.
• Indicates 150-unit doses.
• Contains the lot number C3709C3.
• Includes language that is not English.