Botox: Learn how to identify counterfeit products – 02/08/2023 – Equilíbrio

Anvisa issued an alert about falsification of lots of botulinum toxin, a product used for aesthetic procedures. The products are Botox® 100U (botulinum toxin A) and Dysport® 300U (botulinum toxin A).

In the case of Dysport® 300U, the manufacturer Beaufour Ipsen Farmacêutica told Anvisa that batch L25049, identified as fake by the agency, is not recognized as official by the company. The batch was valid until October 2023 and the packaging of the counterfeit product only has words in Portuguese.

In the case of Botox® 100U, the company Allergan Produtos Farmacêuticos Ltda, notified Anvisa about the identification of two counterfeit products in lot C7654C3F. Differences were found in adulterated packages in relation to the original ones.

According to the Agency, it is possible that there are more counterfeit units in the same batch, and the advice is to contact the manufacturer if there are doubts as to whether the product is original.

For both drugs, the seizure and prohibition of the commercialization, distribution and use of the counterfeit product was determined.

The purpose of the procedure is to decrease the strength of muscle contraction and ensure that the expression marks of the muscles do not become permanent. Report by Sheet showed that the product is being applied earlier and earlier, but with the aim of appearing natural.

Dermatologist Alessandra Romiti, from the Brazilian Society of Dermatology (SBD), points out that botulinum toxin is not a product usually purchased by the patient, but by the professional who will perform the procedure.

Romiti highlights the importance of looking for trained health professionals to perform aesthetic procedures, and avoiding places that offer prices far below the market. “The qualified professional has the responsibility of buying a certified product”, she points out.

It is also not recommended that the general population purchase botulinum toxin through internet sales sites, as there is no way to verify the origin of the substance.

The expert says that the risks of using a counterfeit product are unknown, since the adulterated composition is not known. “It may simply not have the desired effect, but it could also happen to have health consequences,” she warns.

SBD’s recommendation is that anyone interested in performing an aesthetic procedure seek a dermatologist.