Botox injections have become more popular than ever to reduce wrinkles. Unfortunately, Botox injections have also been associated with multiple deaths. Some health advocacy groups are calling for Botox injections to receive a mandatory “black box” warning by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA recently stated that it would undertake a safety review of Myobloc and Botox, both botulinum toxins, after receiving reports of serious reactions, such as trouble swallowing and aspiration pneumonia.
What are Botox Treatments?
Botox is a drug made from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. This bacterium is the same toxin that causes botulism, a type of food poisoning that can be deadly. When people receive a botox injection, the botox blocks specific nerves and weakens or paralyzes certain muscles. Most patients receive Botox injections in their face to temporarily prevent wrinkles. The side effects from Botox injection usually last three to four months. Botox injections are most often used to:
- Temporarily remove facial wrinkles
- Prevent severe underarm sweating
- Treat migraine headaches
- Treat cervical dystonia
- Treat dystonia
- Treat painful muscle spasms
- Treat overactive bladder
Several known side effects can occur, such as pain at the botox injection site, headache, upset stomach, and flu-like symptoms. When doctors inject small doses of Botox for medical or cosmetic procedures, Botox injection injuries can result. Even though the FDA has approved Botox in limited circumstances, Botox can still cause serious injuries.
Non-Approved Uses for Botox
The FDA only recommends Botox in specific limited treatment plans. Nonetheless, doctors sometimes use botox for non-approved treatments, such as treating limb spasticity in patients with cerebral palsy. Using Botox in children under the age of 12 is also a non-approved use. If your loved one has become injured after being treated with botox for non-approved use, we recommend discussing your case with one of our personal injury lawyers. If a doctor’s medical malpractice caused your injuries, you could be entitled to compensation.
Injuries Associated With Botox Treatment
Over the years, Botox injections have been associated with various adverse reactions in FDA-approved uses and non-approved usage. In most of these cases, the neurotoxins and Botox will spread beyond the intended injection site. As a result, numerous adverse effects can occur. The FDA has required Botox manufacturers to change the risks, warnings, approved uses for Botox, and the prescription amount doctor should give patients. One of the FDA’s most recent notices regarding Botox lists all of the injuries patients can have, including the following:
- Problems with swallowing, speaking, or breathing can happen hours, days, or weeks after the injection of Botox. In this scenario, the muscles you use to swallow on your breath can become weak after the botox injection
- Death can occur when patients cannot breathe after Botox treatment
- People who have existing breathing problems need to use muscles in their neck to help them breathe, and they are at greater risk of serious breathing problems after receiving Botox
- Some patients experienced swallowing problems that lasted for several months, and some needed feeding tubes to receive water and food
- When swallowing problems are persistent, patients are at risk of liquid or food going into their lungs one eating or drinking, causing pneumonia
- Loss of strength and weakness of muscles all over the body
- Double vision
- Trouble starting words clearly (dysarthria)
- Loss of bladder control
- Trouble swallowing
- Trouble breathing hoarseness or change or loss of voice (dysphonia)
These dangerous symptoms can last for hours, days, or even months in serious cases.
Compensation Available in a Product Liability or Medical Malpractice Lawsuit
If you or your loved one have experienced any of these injuries from Botox, you may have a compensation claim. If the manufacturer or distributor of Botox sold a defective product, you might be able to bring a lawsuit against them. If your doctor failed to use the recommended dosage or improperly administered the botox, you might have a medical malpractice claim.
Contact a Botox Injury Lawyer Today
Have you developed dangerous symptoms after using Botox or Myobloc injections? Did the doctor or nurse who administered your Botox injections fail to administer them safely? If so, you may be entitled to compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. The best thing you can do is consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer who will review your case and advise you of your legal rights. Contact Heninger Garrison Davis today to schedule your free initial consultation.
