12.10.2026 12:30
In Antalya, 16 people who became ill after having cosmetic botox performed in the last 3 months were taken for treatment at Akdeniz University Hospital. While some of the patients experiencing difficulty swallowing, speaking, and breathing were connected to a respirator, 3 of them were treated in intensive care. One of the patients, F.F., claimed that the procedure was performed by the secretary, not the doctor.
The number of people applying to hospitals in Antalya with complaints of toxin poisoning after having botox has increased over the last 3 months. While 7 patients hospitalized in the neurology clinic in the last week were reported as forensic cases, where and by whom the botox procedures were performed will be investigated.
16 PATIENTS ADMITTED TO THE WARD Over the last 3 months, many people who became ill after having botox for cosmetic purposes applied to Akdeniz University (AÜ) Hospital. 16 people who had difficulty speaking, swallowing, and breathing, and experienced severe muscle weakness, were taken under treatment.
While some of the patients were connected to a ventilator, 3 of them were treated in intensive care. Patients with milder complaints were treated on an outpatient basis.
CLAIM THAT “THE DOCTOR’S SECRETARY PERFORMED THE BOTOX” F.F., who is still being treated at the hospital, claimed that the botox procedure was performed by the doctor’s secretary, not the doctor. F.F. said, “About 20 days ago I went to a doctor’s clinic and had botox. A few days after the procedure, my eyelid drooped and my eye closed. Then I began to have difficulty swallowing. I went to a doctor’s clinic, but the secretary performed the botox procedure. My advice to others is that they should definitely have this procedure done by experts.”
F.F., who claims that the botox procedure was performed by the doctor’s secretary, not the doctor. “PATIENTS CAME WITH SEVERE CONDITIONS” Neurology Specialist Prof. Dr. Ebru Apaydın Doğan from AÜ Hospital stated that the number of people arriving with toxin poisoning has increased over the last 3 months. Doğan said, “We saw that we had 16 patients within the last 3 months. We needed to admit our 16 patients to the ward. Because they came with severe conditions such as respiratory problems, swallowing difficulties, difficulty speaking, and an inability to use the muscles needed to get out of bed or sit up.”
Noting that they followed patients with milder conditions on an outpatient basis, Doğan said, “They were all conditions that developed after dermocosmetic procedures. But when the active substance is different, or when it is performed by non-specialists, or when products of unknown origin are used, unfortunately this toxin mixes into the blood. Then toxin poisoning occurs in patients.”
Neurology Specialist Prof. Dr. Ebru Apaydın Doğan WARNING ABOUT LICENSE AND APPROPRIATE CONDITIONS Internal Medicine Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hasan Sözel emphasized that all conditions must be appropriate in botox application. Sözel said, “Before performing the procedure, one must consider, ‘Is this center a licensed health center?’ In addition, whether the product was licensed or obtained under appropriate conditions should also be monitored.”
Internal Medicine Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hasan Sözel “THE FIRST 24 HOURS AND FIRST 2 WEEKS ARE MORE IMPORTANT” Dr. Yusuf Savrun from the Department of Neurology drew attention to the time it takes for symptoms to appear. Savrun said, “After the toxin is administered, we generally begin to see its effects within 24 hours. In the second week, these effects gradually increase. However, after the second week, the likelihood of seeing the side effects that the toxin will cause decreases. Therefore, the first 24 hours and the first two weeks are more important for us. Side effects that may occur after that are not very frightening for us.”
Dr. Yusuf Savrun “WHEN NECESSARY, WE CONNECT THE PATIENT TO A VENTILATOR” Dr. Aslıhan Yürüktümen Ünal, Faculty Member of the Department of Emergency Medicine, said that patients often applied with complaints of difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, shortness of breath, drooping of both eyelids, muscle weakness, and double vision. Ünal said, “First, we evaluate whether the patient has a life-threatening condition. At the same time, we try to determine the cause of the complaints. If the patient’s breathing has been seriously affected, we perform the necessary interventions to enable them to breathe. When necessary, we connect the patient to a ventilator.”
Dr. Aslıhan Yürüktümen Ünal, Faculty Member of the Department of Emergency Medicine CALL TO THOSE RECEIVING NEUROLOGICAL TREATMENT: “DO NOT TAKE A BREAK” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ebru Barçın, Head of the Department of Neurology at AÜ Faculty of Medicine, stated that botox performed in the neurological field is different from cosmetic applications. Barçın said, “We have been able to use botulinum toxin, that is, botox, in the neurological field for many years for involuntary contractions or contractions in the face and eyelids. In cosmetic use, especially the dose is very important.”
Barçın said, “We are not saying ‘Do not have cosmetic procedures’ or ‘Let us not perform cosmetic applications,’ but we say that they must be performed by expert physicians who know the job and are knowledgeable about the subject. We are also concerned that patients who have botulinum toxin applied in expert hands for neurological diseases may become frightened by these events and take a break from treatment. The two situations are different from each other.”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ebru Barçın, Head of the Department of Neurology at AÜ Faculty of Medicine BOTOX AUTHORIZATION GRANTED TO ALL PHYSICIANS With the regulation amendment published in the Official Gazette on January 7, 2025, aesthetic procedures that previously could only be performed by dermatology and plastic surgery specialists and physicians with a medical aesthetics certificate were opened to all physicians with short-term certification. Experts, however, reminded that botox and filler applications are medical procedures and emphasized that these procedures must be performed by physicians in the competent specialty branch, in licensed health institutions.