TODAYonline

HSA studying risks of botox

It is ‘seeking clarification’ on reports of adverse reactions

Christie Loh and Alicia Wong

christie@mediacorp.com.sg

THE Health Sciences Authority (HSA) is looking into the risks of using botox, after watchdogs in Europe and the United States recently warned of dangerous side-effects, including death.

While botox is better known for ironing out wrinkles and crow’s feet, it is also used for many medical purposes here, such as treating an over-active bladder and excessive sweating.

The HSA told Today 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”.

Responding to a 938LIVE query, the HSA said it was “seeking clarification” from peer agencies overseas to understand recent reports of adverse reactions to botox, and help it “better assess whether the risk posed is relevant to our local population”.

Last month, it was reported that the European Medicines Agency had recorded over 600 cases of negative effects. In February, the FDA said it was conducting a safety review of the drug.

Side-effects noted include speech disorders, breathing problems and difficulties swallowing or holding up the head. The FDA said most of the serious cases occurred in children, who were cerebral palsy patients being treated for leg spasticity.

This is an approved treatment carried out in Singapore. Dr Ong Hian Tat, a senior consultant paediatrician at the NUH Children’s Medical Institute, has been using botox for nine years to help kids with cerebral palsy.

He told 938LIVE he hardly sees serious side effects. Still, he has taken extra precautions since the FDA warning, by giving a “fact sheet” of sorts to parents. “I’ll write down that the child had an injection on which day, on which set of muscles — and if they have any of the symptoms, they need to seek medical attention.”

Doctors Today spoke to have not seen adverse side effects when botox is used in aesthetic procedures.

Plastic surgeon Dr Colin Tham, who sees about 10 botox cases a week, said these are rare complications that would likely affect patients who take large doses. In aesthetic procedures, the doses are “very small”.

A few hundred units could be used to treat cerebral palsy patients, while about 12 units are used to treat frown lines.

General practitioner Dr Roy Chio said the quality of botox also plays a part — low-quality botox could lead the toxin to enter a patient’s blood stream.

Doctors said, while HSA’s assessment of the drug could be useful, they did not think it necessary as the possible negative effects have been known for some time already.