Botox Lawsuits

Botox injections, which are commonly used for cosmetic procedures or “off-label” to treat conditions such cerebral palsy, have been associated with severe and potentially fatal reactions.


STATUS OF BOTOX LITIGATION:
At least one Botox lawsuit has been filed on behalf of 15 individuals who suffered severe or fatal injuries after receiving the injection. Lawyers are investigating potential cases throughout the United States.

MANUFACTURER: Allergan, Inc.

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OVERVIEW: Botox contains small quantities of Botulinum Toxin A, which is the bacteria associated with the development Botulism, a muscle paralyzing condition. The medication is approved for cosmetic reasons, as well as to treat strabismus (crossed eyes), hyperhidrosis (excess sweating), cervical dystonia (involuntary contractions of the neck muscles) and blepharospasm (involuntary blinking of the eye).

Botox injections are used for for cosmetic purposes to help reduce the occurrence of wrinkles in the skin by stopping muscle movement, particularly around the eyes, nose and mouth.

There are also a number of off-label uses of Botox. The most common off-label use is for the treatment of children with cerebral palsy, which can be associated with stiff, jerky and difficult movements caused by muscles that are in a constant state of tension. Use of Botox to treat cerebral palsy symptoms can be effective, as the toxin binds to the nerve endings, preventing the muscles from contracting.

BOTOX SIDE EFFECTS: In February 2009, the FDA issued a public health warning to consumers and healthcare providers following a number of reports of deaths, breathing problems and other adverse reactions associated with the use of Botox. The FDA indicated that the adverse reactions were most commonly seen among children with cerebral palsy, where the typical dose of the Botox injection used is substantially larger than what is normally prescribed for cosmetic purposes.

When given in large doses, the side effects of Botox could produce symptoms similar to Botulism, which is a serious and potentially life-threatening disease. Symptoms could include:

  • Weakness
  • Double or Blurred Vision
  • Drooping Eyelids
  • Slurred Speech
  • Dry Mouth
  • Difficulty Swallowing
  • Respiratory Distress

The consumer advocacy group Public Citizen has called for stronger warnings about the potential Botox side effects, which they have asked the FDA to include in a “black box” warning on the label, which is the strongest possible warning that can be placed on a prescription drug.

Tags: Botox
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13 Comments

  • TerriJune 28, 2023 at 4:27 am

    I’ve been receiving Botox injections for a while now for Migraines and after my most recent injections, I experienced some discomfort with them. Issues such as irritation on my face, in my hairline, on my neck and back.

  • LINDANovember 23, 2014 at 8:53 am

    My name is linda. I've suffered from migraines for over 35 years now and have tried ever drug on the market. I've been in and out of the ER more times then I want to remember. Out of desperation I"ve learned of botox. Went to a doctor that told me he could do it in his sleep and a monkey could do it. I asked how much was he using. He had 3 carpules to inject me in my forhead, head region and cervi[Show More]My name is linda. I've suffered from migraines for over 35 years now and have tried ever drug on the market. I've been in and out of the ER more times then I want to remember. Out of desperation I"ve learned of botox. Went to a doctor that told me he could do it in his sleep and a monkey could do it. I asked how much was he using. He had 3 carpules to inject me in my forhead, head region and cervical area. For the first two day it felt like a hot poker through my right eye and the pain was awful. Now the problem, where he injected the cords of my neck I"m having "severe" pain when I try to bend my head a certain way "OH MY GOD" the pain is not bearable. Although I can say the migraines are better at the moment. It's been almost 2 weeks and I'm praying to god the neck pain stops i've tried hot pack, cold packs muscle rub, hot soaks in the tub and intrex sumptriptian 100 mg when I can't bear it anymore. But nothing helps the neck pain. SO I have a follow up appointment in less than two weeks. One thing for sure he is NOT putting any needles in my neck for sure. IF anyone else has experience this please write me and let me know. I'd like to hear from you good luck and have best of luck

  • KrystalynMay 26, 2011 at 8:18 pm

    Now we know who the senblsie one is here. Great post!

  • JullieMay 26, 2011 at 5:14 pm

    My name is jullie A..I have posted some info about what is happening to me.I also wanted to add for those who may write negative comments regarding Botox..shared real life experiences of serious side effects,that this is no laughing matter and compassion for us dealing with these side effects..should be there!!!I have heard so much crap from doctors and people that do not know what they are talki[Show More]My name is jullie A..I have posted some info about what is happening to me.I also wanted to add for those who may write negative comments regarding Botox..shared real life experiences of serious side effects,that this is no laughing matter and compassion for us dealing with these side effects..should be there!!!I have heard so much crap from doctors and people that do not know what they are talking about.I am not alone with these symptoms!!!!

  • JullieMay 26, 2011 at 4:26 pm

    I had Botox injections on sides of nose and forehead on sept 30-09..I started to feel sick and have eye pain..then the horrific head aches,numbing on left side of face and hand..I also have visible signs on face that something has terribly gone wrong..I cry a lot also and wonder if I will die..as I do feel miserable every day since.I also am trying to find a legal help,for those out there I feel [Show More]I had Botox injections on sides of nose and forehead on sept 30-09..I started to feel sick and have eye pain..then the horrific head aches,numbing on left side of face and hand..I also have visible signs on face that something has terribly gone wrong..I cry a lot also and wonder if I will die..as I do feel miserable every day since.I also am trying to find a legal help,for those out there I feel your pain,please call me any time..it is nice not to be alone as we are in the fight to survive!!! jullie A

  • AmdMarch 1, 2011 at 7:20 pm

    Cindy i am having the same problems....my left side of my face is numb and my left arm. This is an awlful feeling!!!

  • KellyJune 17, 2010 at 5:12 am

    Michael, I am sorry to hear about the difficulties you are having regarding Botox injection. Additionally it is unacceptable that the facility personnel did not disclose the possible side effects. I am not certain on the practices for "plastics spas", but if you signed a consent form, then the pros and cons should have been explained to you. I am surprised though that in this day and age of techn[Show More]Michael, I am sorry to hear about the difficulties you are having regarding Botox injection. Additionally it is unacceptable that the facility personnel did not disclose the possible side effects. I am not certain on the practices for "plastics spas", but if you signed a consent form, then the pros and cons should have been explained to you. I am surprised though that in this day and age of technology that you did not "google" Botox and note that it is the Botulism Toxin that is very dangerous and deadly. In today's society each individual must be proactive for themselves. If you don't know, then ask. After all these years we seems to understand and except the daily possibilities of problems or death (i.e. driving); yet we do not take the time to look into things that are not common knowledge (i.e. we take a chance of an accident everyday we get behind the wheel of a vehicle). Again be proactive for yourself next time you decide to do anything. This by no means takes away the responsiblity of the practitioners and informed consent for procedures.

  • MichaelJune 14, 2010 at 7:55 pm

    My daughter is getting married and I had a botox injection to reduce the frown on my forehead. A week after the injection, I got droopy eyes in my left eye. I am using eye drops which help but my ability to drive is impaired because the vision in my left eye is weak and blurred. I was not fully informed of the possible side effects. I will be three weeks post injection this week so I am hopefu[Show More]My daughter is getting married and I had a botox injection to reduce the frown on my forehead. A week after the injection, I got droopy eyes in my left eye. I am using eye drops which help but my ability to drive is impaired because the vision in my left eye is weak and blurred. I was not fully informed of the possible side effects. I will be three weeks post injection this week so I am hopeful that I will get better. I would never cosndier having it done again. I had it done at a very upscale SPA that specializes in plastic surgery. I really encourage anyone to think twice before doing it. It is over advertised and I don't think they have even begun to tell us about all the possible things this is doing to our body...trust me, after this I am going to grow old gracefully.

  • You're kidding, Cindy!January 29, 2010 at 8:40 pm

    To Cindy: Didn't you agree on an amount and a price *before* having it injected? Also, botox does *not* cause numbness, it only paralyzes muscles. It doesn't change sensation. It also doesn't make a person feel "sick." The eyelid problem? Maybe. It can do that. But it doesn't make your face numb.

  • CindySeptember 5, 2009 at 8:54 pm

    I have been having botox injected by a local eye doctor for a few years now with no problems untill recently. I was under the understanding that as long as the doctor was very accredited I should be ok. It is known that problems are very very few if the doctor is careful it is about the injection accuracy and amount. This doctor is also a facial plastic surgeon. What I truly believe happened he[Show More]I have been having botox injected by a local eye doctor for a few years now with no problems untill recently. I was under the understanding that as long as the doctor was very accredited I should be ok. It is known that problems are very very few if the doctor is careful it is about the injection accuracy and amount. This doctor is also a facial plastic surgeon. What I truly believe happened here is that this doctor over injected me and gave me way more botox in the area then what I needed. It seems to me according to my bill each time that if he could do more areas he would to charge more. However I said do the same thing you always do, I believe he did more with out asking so he could charge more my bill this time was $200.00 more then the last time. My head is numb, my nose is numb, the headaches and eye aches are real bad and my whole body feels sick. I say be very very careful, I am a Hairstylist and Easthetician and I was very aware of everything about Botox. I thought I found a great doctor and I had no problems for a few years, I believe he got greedy and gave me to much to charge me more money. So I am warning everyone else out there. I can hardly open my left eye either. I feel awful, my face is numb and I am crying alot. The good thing here is this will where off. But up to 6 months is very very long to wait. And I still don't know what all the poison to my system is doing to the rest of my body which feels real sick.

  • Botox Problems Lead to New Warnings in Canada : AboutLawsuits.comJanuary 20, 2009 at 6:19 pm

    [...] a result of potential problems caused by Botox injections, where the toxin could spread to other parts of the body, Health Canada indicates that they are [...]

  • Health Canada Investigating Botox Side Effects : AboutLawsuits.comOctober 13, 2008 at 3:04 pm

    [...] Canada is investigating at least thirteen reports of serious Botox side effects, including five deaths. The Canadian drug regulators indicate that the reactions were likely caused [...]

  • Botox User Deaths Lead to Lawsuits — AboutLawsuits.comJuly 22, 2008 at 6:17 pm

    [...] Botox lawsuit alleges negligence on the part of Allergan in the design, manufacture and marketing of the drug, [...]

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