Six people on Zealand have been hospitalized with serious poisoning after botox treatments, and the Danish Patient Safety Authority has issued a public warning.
DR reported on September 10, 2026 that the six patients were admitted to hospital in recent weeks. The injections were given either as cosmetic treatments in the face or as treatment for excessive sweating.
The cases were made public in a press release from the Danish Patient Safety Authority, Styrelsen for Patientsikkerhed. The authority urges anyone seeking botox treatment to choose a registered clinic with authorized staff.
According to the authority, none of the six patients have been willing to say where the injections were carried out. They have also declined to say who performed them.
Much indicates that a non-approved product was used, per the authority. It also states that the treatments appear to have taken place at an unregistered clinic, or in private homes by an unauthorized practitioner.
What the symptoms look like
Symptoms of botulinum toxin poisoning typically appear from hours to days after treatment, according to the authority. They include double vision and other visual disturbances, difficulty speaking and swallowing, muscle weakness, paralysis and breathing problems.
The authority notes that these signs differ from common mild and temporary side effects such as headache and swelling. The toxin can spread in the body and block nerve signals to the muscles. That leaves the muscles weakened or paralyzed, and the condition is potentially fatal.
It remains unclear whether the poisonings were caused by the product itself, by incorrect dosing, or by the treatment procedure. The authority has not stated where in Zealand the treatments took place.
Continued problems with an illegal market
Styrelsen for Patientsikkerhed states in its press release that it continues to see challenges with an illegal market for cosmetic treatment. It points to clinics that lack the necessary health professional competencies and where patient safety is put at risk.
The authority also underlines that illegal cosmetic treatment can cause serious injury. Patients are in a weak position in possible compensation cases if the treatment was performed by people without authorization.
Before undergoing treatment, the authority recommends checking its own authorization register. The register lists health professionals who hold a Danish authorization, and it is publicly searchable.
Botulinum toxin is a prescription medicine in Denmark and may only be administered by authorized personnel. The authority has not said whether any of the six cases have led to reports to the police.
