New Wrinkle in Botox Treatment for Migraine Headaches
Source: The National Law Journal
Published: February 19, 2003
LOS ANGELES, CA - Hollywood executive Mike Medavoy and wife Irena Medavoy filed a lawsuit (Medavoy v. Klein, No. SC075614) against Allergan, maker of Botox, and Dr. Arnold W. Klein, a dermatologist whose patients include Elizabeth Taylor and Michael Jackson, claiming Irena Medavoy suffered serious side effects from an "off-labeled" Botox treatment for migraine headaches.
Complaint filed by Medavoy's attorneys Arthur Leads and Robert Petrokofsky alleges that Allergan improperly promoted this "off-labeled" use of Botox - meaning for uses that are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The complaint also claims Dr. Klein did not fully inform his patient of the potential dangers of such treatment, nor did he disclose that he's a paid consultant to the company.
"It is common practice to use medications off-label," countered Klein's lawyer, Howard Weitzman of the Los Angeles office of New York's Proskauer Rose. "That's what they do in clinical studies. That's the way the drugs get tested."
Allergan General Counsel Douglas Ingram said that Botox is currently in clinical trials for treatment of headaches.
