Botox epidemic caused by botox for weight loss

An epidemic of botulism is spreading in Europe, and it appears to be caused by bites of botox, a toxin often used to smooth facial wrinkles. But in this case, people would use it to lose weight. This was communicated by the EU Health Office for Infectious Diseases, which is increasingly concerned about the spread of the disease, which among other things can lead to death. Euractiv writes that the epidemic may have started in Turkey, where medical intervention costs for weight loss are lower.

Botulinum toxin (BoNt), one of the most toxic proteins known to date, is used in “botox”, a pharmacological preparation often associated with aesthetic touch-ups. While Botox injections were mostly used to smooth facial wrinkles or raise eyebrows, a lesser-known use has recently become common: to lose weight.

The procedure involves injecting BoNt into the stomach muscles to slow down digestion and make the body feel full for longer, and the effect is expected to last about three months. Despite the claims of clinics offering the procedure, there is no documented evidence to warrant its effectiveness. Worst of all, these practices are linked to an epidemic of botulism, a disease that attacks the body’s nerves, causing breathing difficulties, muscle paralysis and, in some cases, death.

In late March, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) attributed as many as 87 cases of botulism to intragastric injection of the toxin. All cases reported in Europe so far belong to people who have undergone medical procedures in Turkey. Their choice is linked to lower costs offered by Turkish clinics, with a 40% or 50% price difference compared to other states offering similar treatments.

The main reason for this price difference between Turkey and other countries is that both the US Food and Drug Administration (Fda) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) do not approve the use of BoNt for weight loss. An EMA spokesperson told Euractiv, “Botulinum toxin is approved in the EU for the treatment of a variety of pathologies, including muscle pain, cramps, excessive sweating or salivation, and certain cosmetic procedures. However, it is not approved for weight loss.”

Any use of botox for weight loss treatments is considered “off-label”, meaning that the use of the drug is not prescribed in the package insert and therefore generally does not comply with the terms of sale given by regulatory authorities. authority. Doctor-prescribed off-label uses are legal, but not that common when it comes to cosmetic procedures. In addition, such use cannot be advertised by pharmaceutical companies and the doctors who prescribe the drug are responsible for possible side effects.

Although botulism is not a common disease, it can still be very dangerous. According to the ECDC, rates are generally low in the EU, with around 200 cases per year (0.03 cases per 100,000 population). There are five different types, some of which occur naturally, such as foodborne botulism caused by contaminated food or infant botulism in children under one year old.

The European epidemic is called iatrogenic botulism, a type that results from over-administration of BoNT toxins during medical or cosmetic procedures, not natural means. Healing requires intensive treatment and administration of botulinum antitoxin, with recovery periods of weeks or months in some cases.

This is why ECDC has encouraged European citizens to avoid these treatments, emphasizing the potential risks of developing botulism. A consultant in endocrinology at Imperial College London, Dr. “BoNT is generally a safe treatment, but in this case things have gone wrong for some unfortunate patients,” Alexander Miras told Euractiv.

Source: Today IT

\