Jury Rejects Claim Botox Caused Problems

News   ·   October 8, 2004

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: October 8, 2004

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jurors on Friday rejected the claims of a Hollywood producer’s wife who said Botox treatments caused breathing problems, fever, fatigue and severe muscle pain.

Irena Medavoy, 45, said she suffered the symptoms after a Beverly Hills dermatologist gave her three injections of the drug in March 2002 to treat her migraine headaches. She said her symptoms became debilitating after she began the treatment.

Besides dermatologist Arnold Klein, the action also named Allergan Inc., which manufactures Botox, a derivative of the toxin that causes botulism that also has been used as an anti-wrinkle drug.

Allergan had a $100,000-a-year consulting contract with Klein.

Some physicians have reported success in using Botox to prevent migraines, although the treatment does not have FDA approval.

Steve Fraser, an attorney for Klein, said Medavoy already was using Botox for cosmetic reasons when she noticed that it seemed to help her migraines. Klein then began giving it to her for the headaches, Fraser said.

The lawsuit alleged that Klein failed to disclose the risks of the drug and that he and Allergan misled the public about the safety of using Botox against migraines.

Allergan officials said Botox has been used safely and effectively for 15 years.

Klein’s attorney, Steve Fraser, told jurors that Medavoy had her symptoms years before she received the injections.

Medavoy is the wife of Mike Medavoy, 63, co-founder of Orion Pictures and former chairman of Tri-Star Pictures and a one-time Hollywood agent.