Botox which has been used for cosmetic reasons to reduce facial wrinkles and injected into underarms to reduce perspiration is now under review by the FDA (Federal Drug Administration).

It has been found to have caused complications and at least one death in children. No, children are not being injected with Botox to look better or younger. Children are being treated for an off label use - spasticity of muscles in children with cerebral palsy. Even if the injection site was the leg muscles the Botox has caused breathing problems. The ingredient Botulinum toxin Type A or Botulinum toxin Type A (found in Myobloc) may somehow travel to the lungs or the muscles of the lungs.

Allergen, the maker of Botox has agreed to this safety precaution by the FDA. Although not approved in the US to treat muscle spasms in cerebral palsy, it is being used a great deal. Allergen spokesperson, Caroline Van Hove stated that the dosage of Botox may be at fault in the treatment of children and that it does not endorse the treatment of Cerebral Palsy in children.

People with Myasthenia Gravis are not able to use this drug due to the side effects stated above. The FDA will be looking into the link of Botox and the complications stated above. Please click on this link to read the FDA’s warning.

photo by EverJean on Flickr