Bad Botox ?

Home « News « Bad Botox ?


Last June, an upstate New York woman went in for a standard Botox procedure to diminish the appearance of facial wrinkles.  Now her attorney, Jeff DeFrancisco, states that his client has suffered from health problems ever since the procedure. The Syracuse doctor recently sent this injured patient a letter saying that the Botox injections she received were not approved by the FDA.  The letter assures her that no harmful effects of this unapproved Botox have been discovered. 

Mr. DeFrancisco states the contrary.  “There are people who are paralyzed as a result of using this Botox.”  He worries that other doctors in the area and across the nation may have also used this dangerous product on patients. 

This unapproved Botox comes from a manufacturer called Arizona Company Toxin Research International.   According to DeFrancisco, this company is barred from selling Botox now.  He asserts that the company distributed Botox vials which clearly stated “Not for Human Use” on the label.  The product was, however, marketed to plastic surgeons as a cheap alternative to Botox.  Investigators have discovered this bad Botox contained a dangerously high concoction of ingredients.  Federal officials are currently trying to determine just how- and how many of- these vials wound up in upstate New York and possibly other parts of the country. 

Arizona Company Toxin Research International claims that these bad Botox vials were ten times stronger than normal FDA-approved Botox and that they were intended for research use only. 

Attorney DeFrancisco may file a class action lawsuit on behalf of those who have been injured by this bad Botox.  The FDA has also stated that they would like to hear from any individual who has suffered adverse side effects after a Botox procedure which may be related to this case. 

Experts recommend that patients, who wish to receive Botox, ensure that their procedure is performed by a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon.  Experts also caution that a “cheaper” procedure may not be a “better” procedure in the long run.  While the cost of Botox may vary from surgeon to surgeon and location to location, patients should be cautious about any deal that seems too good to be true. 


ABCPSR