Can I Get Imported Botox Cosmetic for a Lower Cost?

My friend’s doctor offers really cheap Botox. He says it comes from Mexico and it is real Botox, just lower price because it comes from Mexico. Is he for real?

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9 Doctor Answers | Asked by anon

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Using imported BOTOX Cosmetic

If, after being evaluated by a physician, you decide to receive an injection of BOTOX Cosmetic, be sure it is performed by a qualified healthcare professional who uses authentic BOTOX Cosmetic manufactured by Allergan. You can ask to see the bottle which will have the BOTOX Cosmetic logo, serial number, and expiration date on it. Being injected with medication in the United States which is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is potentially dangerous and illegal. It... more

Imported Botox Cosmetic is not FDA-approved

Only Botox from Allergan, Inc. is approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) for use to treat glabellar wrinkles in the United States. This also permits doctors to use the injectable for "off label uses" such as the crow's foot area. Use of non-FDA approved substances is illegal and history has shown that it can also be dangerous.

Cheap Botox not worth the risk

There are a number of illegitimate facilities purchasing botox from Mexico or Canada. However, the savings is not worth the increased risk. In the United States, only Botox from Allergan is FDA approved.

You get what you pay for with Botox

I would be very careful shopping by price for a cosmetic treatment that affects how you look but especially if you know that the product you are using may not be authentic Botox Cosmetic by Allergan. There have been cases of Botox being imported from Mexico and South American which have actually come from China (called "dirty Botox" because it is different than Botox and not pure toxin) or from labs producing very concentrated botulinum toxin, intended only for research... more

Lorrie Klein, MD

145 reviews

Laguna Niguel Dermatologic Surgeon

www.ocdermatology.com

Cheaper BOTOX

Everyone wants things cheaper. The only problem I see in my practice is that people who go for the cheapest treatments get the shortest results and the most side effects, in the end their "cheap" treatment costing them much more. I recommend you get a specialist like a dermatologist or plastic surgeon to inject you with authentic BOTOX and fillers from the U.S. not only because they are extensively tested in many aspects, but also because it is often illegal to inject things from... more

Benjamin Barankin, MD

10 reviews

Toronto Dermatologic Surgeon

Botox from Mexico

We know of several facilities in our area that use imported Botox. While there may be no difference in the quality of Botox, it has had to travel a much further route in making it to your friend's office than if it were to come through the normal channel, and therefore may be subject to quality control issues. In addition, as other practitioners have pointed out, it is illegal for a physician to import Botox from another country. Botox is a drug that is very closely controlled from the time... more

Harold J. Kaplan, MD

4 reviews

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.celibre.com

Treating patients with imported Botox Cosmetic

1. The importation of drugs from other countries for use in OTHERS is illegal. A doctor can be arrested for injecting or giving anyone a drug he/she received from abroad (regardless if he brought it in OR the patient brought it to the office to be used on her). Son - the answer to your question - your doctor is committing a Federal felony. 2. HOW do you know or how does he know the bottle he is injecting you with actually contains Botox? The world market is FULL of fake medications... more

Isn't importing Botox illegal?

As far as I know, it's illegal to import prescription medications into the United States for commercial use. I think it's okay for personal use which is why you can buy medicines from Canada but I'm not an expert on the import regulations. If your doctor is willing to break the law to save money, you might also consider what other lines he or she is willing to cross. Safety? Sterility? Expiration Dates? Storage limitations (Botox has to be kept frozen until reconstituted). While it might... more