Performed outside of a medical setting, the intervention can cause a serious neurological illness and require hospitalization.
This alert follows new reports of serious cases linked to certain aesthetic medicine procedures, collected by the ANSM (National Medicines Safety Agency). These practices, in the form of injections, “are carried out by unauthorized people and endanger the health of their customers”warns the Agency. Injections performed outside of a medical setting pose serious risks: infection, skin necrosis, allergic reaction, or even death.
These procedures can cause botulism, a rare but serious neurological disease, because poisoning from the toxin used in the injections can lead to breathing difficulties requiring hospitalization. “Since our last alert (February 27, 2025, editor’s note), three new serious pharmacovigilance cases linked to illegal injections (…) made in France have been reported”indicates the ANSM. The most serious forms of botulism can require admission to intensive care and lead to death. Symptoms to watch for: blurred or double vision, drooping eyelids, muscle weakness, difficulty walking, speaking or swallowing, and breathing problems.
At the origin of these cases: a treatment based on botulinum toxin, used in aesthetic medicine under various trade names, such as the famous Botox©, but also Azzalure©, Vistabel©, Bocouture©, Dysport© or even Xeomin©. The toxin is administered to temporarily reduce the appearance of wrinkles and to treat certain muscular or neurological disorders. Its use is strictly regulated and must only be carried out by authorized health professionals, with products having a marketing authorization. However, clandestine injections are circulating, often with products purchased on the Internet, counterfeit and dangerous. We can no longer know whether these are “real” drugs that meet safety and effectiveness requirements. Some may not contain the active substance advertised or contain toxic products in dangerous doses. The risk of botulism concerns all illegal botulinum toxin injections, not just these brands. Illegal sales often offer very attractive prices to attract poorly informed customers.
To protect yourself, the ANSM recommends remaining extremely vigilant. Avoid people without medical qualifications, such as individuals, and non-medical places: private homes, beauty salons or beauty salons. Be wary of promises that sound too good to be true: “no side effects” or “painless injections,” and ignore advertising on social media. “Advertising a medicine subject to compulsory medical prescription to the general public is prohibited in France”recalls the Agency. Following this advice allows you to avoid the serious risks associated with these practices.
