This undated file photo shows a person is
receiving botulinum toxin injection. A public interest group has
petitioned the U.S. authorities to press tougher warnings on
wrinkle-eliminating cosmetic drug, media reported Monday. (file
Photo)
A public interest group has petitioned the U.S. authorities to
press tougher warnings on wrinkle-eliminating cosmetic drug, media
reported Monday.
Public Citizen Health Research Group urged the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration Thursday to immediately increase its warnings
about the use of botulinum toxin because serious adverse reactions,
including deaths, were found linked to the drug.
The toxin is sold under the commercial names of Botox, Myobloc
and Dysport.
In its petition, the group said although detailed information
about the possible serious side effects is noted, that is not
always available to the public.
The group noted that U.S. authorities have approved the toxin
for "a limited number of 'therapeutic' conditions, including
uncontrollable neck and shoulder muscle contractions, spasmodic
blinking of the eyes and excessive underarm sweating.
"The only approved cosmetic use is for temporary smoothing of
wrinkles between the eyebrows. Most cosmetic uses of botulinum
toxin are unapproved," said Dr. Sidney Wolfe of the group.
Botulinum toxin, a natural poison found in decomposing food, is
40 million times more powerful than cyanide.
In some cases, the toxin had spread to other parts of the body
with serious consequences, such as paralysis of respiratory muscles
and difficulty swallowing, which was likely to lead to food or
liquids entering the respiratory tract and lungs, causing
aspiration pneumonia, Wolf???? said.
About 16 deaths were reported between November 1997 and December
2006, along with more than 600 people suffering adverse effects
from injections of botulinum toxin.
(Agencies via Xinhua January 28, 2008)
