FDA Warns Against Botox & Myobloc

Botox and Myobloc are botulinum toxins which are popularly used for cosmetic and therapeutic purposes. Botox and Myobloc works to relax muscles by blocking nerve impulses to certain muscles. Recently, however, the FDA has issued a warning on the use of these toxins.
Let’s take a look at what these toxins are and why an FDA warning has been issued on the use of these.
BOTOX
According to Allergan, the manufacturer of Botox, Botox is prescribed in either one of the following:
Botox (Botulinum Toxin Type A): Botox is used for the treatment of severe underarm sweating which is cannot be controlled by the use of topical applications.
Botox Therapeutic (Botulinum Toxin Type A): Botox Therapeutic is used for the treatment of the following conditions in patients 12 years and above –

uncontrollable neck and shoulder muscles
crossed eyes
spasmodic blinking of the eyes.

Botox Cosmetic (Botulinum Toxin Type A): Botox Cosmetic is used to smoothen the area between the eyebrows just above the nose for adult patients 65 years old or younger.

MYOBLOC (Botulinum Toxin Type B)
According to Solstice Neurosciences, the manufacturer of Myobloc, Myobloc is used for the treatment of patients with cervical dystonia to lessen the severity of abnormal head position and neck pain.
APPROVED FDA USAGE FOR BOTOX AND MYOBLOC
FDA has only approved the usage of Botox and Myobloc for the treatment of the conditions mentioned above. All other uses of these two toxins have not been approved.
From the conditions mentioned above, it is clear that Botox Cosmetic is only approved to temporarily improve the appearance of moderate to severe facial frown lines in between the eyebrows above the nose. It has clearly not been approved for use on other facial areas.

FDA WARNING
The FDA has issued a warning on the use of Botox and Myobloc after a consumer group (Public Citizen), has presented them with data linking the use of these toxins to 180 reports of serious injuries and 16 deaths. Apparently, in some cases, the toxin has spread to other parts of the body which resulted in severe consequences which includes respiratory failure and death.
FDA has stated that these adverse reactions could be related to a toxin overdose. While the FDA hasn’t required the use of these toxins to be discontinued, they are currently reviewing data from clinical studies submitted by the toxin’s manufacturers.

SAFER ALTERNATIVE
Because of this recent development, more and more people are looking to find safer, alternative ways to achieve younger looking skin without having to rely on the potentially dangerous Botox injection.
In this regard, we have reviewed several anti-aging creams which claim to provide the same results as Botox injections. While some of the anti-aging creams do not provide the same effects as Botox, there are a select few that can be truly considered as a safer alternative to Botox. » FDA Warns Against Botox & Myobloc