HSA studying risks of botox
Some victims of cerebral palsy have even more to worry about, say medical watchdog groups in the U.S. and Europe.
Some doctors have treated these children with Botox as a way to treat leg spasticity but, unfortunately, reports of dangerous side effects like speech disorders, breathing problems and difficulties swallowing or holding up the head — including death — have forced the Health Sciences Authority to re-evaluate the drug.
Botox is, of course, most widely known for ironing out wrinkles but it has also been used for a variety of medical purposes.
The HSA said it has always monitored drugs for negative side effects — but ever since the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) earlier this year highlighted safety concerns over botulinum toxins, the local authority “has kept close watch on this development although we had not seen local cases.”
Recently, the European Medicines Agency noted it had recorded over 600 cases of negative effects. In February, the FDA said it was conducting a safety review of the drug.