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Counterfeit Botox found in California. Here's how to spot fake products and report them

Jacqueline Pinedo, The Sacramento Bee on

Published in Health & Fitness

Counterfeit versions of Botox have been found in multiple states, including California, according to the California Department of Public Health.

The health agency is warning consumers and medical providers to be wary of the counterfeit products, which have caused “hospitalizations and other serious reactions in people who received injections in non-medical, unlicensed settings.”

“Counterfeit or incorrectly administered Botox, even in small amounts, can result in serious health problems and even death,” Dr. Tomás J. Aragón, department of public health director and state public health officer, said in a Wednesday news release.

According to the public health department, there are no current links between the fake drugs and authentic Botox, which is manufactured by AbbVie and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The drug is used to smooth out wrinkles and treat muscle-related conditions such as chronic migraines, overactive bladders and eyelid spasms.

FDA-approved Botox is “considered safe and effective” when used as intended, the release said.

 

What does counterfeit Botox look like?

Here’s how to spot counterfeit Botox, according to the California Department of Public Health.

The box or outer packaging:

• Displays the active ingredient as “Botulinum Toxin Type A” instead of “OnabotulinumtoxinA”

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©2024 The Sacramento Bee. Visit at sacbee.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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