Question marks over long-term effects of Botox

By HELEN TUNNAH and AGENCIES

The long-term effects of glamour drug Botox on the brain and nervous system are not known, the British Medical Journal has warned.

"Just because it's fashionable, people shouldn't lose sight of the fact that it's a medical treatment, not a lipstick," Dr Peter Misra said yesterday.

Dr Misra, a leading London neurophysiologist, wrote in the journal that despite its widespread use, Botox - a derivative of the potentially deadly botulinum toxin - should be treated with care.

The use of Botox as a treatment for wrinkles has skyrocketed in recent years, especially among the rich and famous who think it makes them look young.

Celebrities who have used it include the Peter Pan of Pop, Cliff Richard, and Lulu. Cher, Madonna and Sylvester Stallone are also rumoured to have flirted with Botox as an alternative to the plastic surgeon's knife.

But Dr Misra has warned that some people might be using Botox when they really need psychiatric help to overcome phobias about their appearance, and says the long-term health effects of the treatment are not known.

Dr John Barrett, of the Palm Clinic in Auckland, said yesterday that he had used Botox for many years, and was confident it was safe.

Dr Barrett, who is also the Australasian president of the Appearance Medicine Society, said he did not know exactly how many people underwent Botox treatment here, but it had increased 10-fold over the past five years.

"Over the years that I've been using it on patients there has been an exponential increase because it is an extremely safe, very effective treatment," he said.

"I haven't noted any deleterious effects which would lead me to have any concerns about the product ... over seven years of use and thousands of injections."

He said 95 per cent of users were women, aged between 30 and 45. Most people had the treatment about three times a year.

Potential side-effects written about in the British Medical Journal are already listed on the Ministry of Health's website information about Botox. It also reports overseas experiences where people have died from using Botox if they have cardiovascular problems or illnesses such as pneumonia.

Senior medical officer Dr Stewart Jessamine said Botox was approved for use in New Zealand for medical purposes, but cosmetically only for use in lines around the eyes and forehead. It must be administered by a medical practitioner.

Dr Jessamine said that because it was a relatively new treatment, there was little information on the effects of using Botox for an extended time.

"We don't actually know if there are any long-term side-effects. This is a relatively new medicine. It's not been used for prolonged periods."

Herald feature: Health