A weight-loss pill named ‘Molecule’, which gained significant traction on Russian TikTok with catchy slogans like “Take Molecule and forget food exists,” is causing alarm due to severe side effects experienced by its users. Teenagers and young adults are sharing their weight-loss journeys online, often featuring the drug’s distinctive blue packaging. However, the reality behind these ‘journeys’ is proving to be far more dangerous.
Maria, a 22-year-old from St Petersburg, experienced a host of worrying symptoms after taking the pills, including extreme dry mouth, loss of appetite, nervousness, and involuntary lip-biting and cheek-chewing. She described the profound effect it had on her psyche, leading to severe anxiety and negative thoughts. The drug is not only causing psychological distress but also physical symptoms like dilated pupils, tremors, and insomnia, with reports of schoolchildren ending up in hospital.
Investigations revealed that ‘Molecule’ contains sibutramine, a substance that was once used as an antidepressant and appetite suppressant. However, it was later found to increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes, leading to its ban in countries like the UK, EU, and US. While sibutramine is still approved for adult obesity treatment in Russia, it requires a prescription and is meant to be used under medical supervision. The illegal online trade of ‘Molecule’ bypasses these regulations, often offering higher doses and no medical oversight, all at a fraction of the cost of regulated weight-loss treatments.
Despite efforts by authorities and online marketplaces to remove the illegal drug, sellers continue to find ways to circumvent bans, relabeling products as ‘sports nutrition’ or using obscure listings on e-commerce platforms. The origins of these pills are often unclear, with some claiming production in China or Germany, though investigations have raised doubts about the authenticity of these claims.
Health professionals, like endocrinologist Ksenia Solovieva, warn about the extreme danger of self-administering such supplements, emphasizing the unknown quantities of active ingredients and the significant overdose risks. The drug is particularly detrimental to young people, especially those with pre-existing eating disorders, as it can trigger relapses and exacerbate psychological issues. Even some influencers who have previously used similar products are now issuing strong warnings against ‘Molecule’, highlighting the severe and regrettable consequences.
Maria, who herself required hospitalization after taking the pills, now dedicates herself to discouraging others, particularly young women, from using ‘Molecule’. Her personal experience serves as a stark reminder of the perils associated with unregulated and dangerously promoted products circulating online.
More weekend picks
- They shed pounds with weight-loss jabs – but then came the loose skin
- Women share their bittersweet experience after taking weight-loss drugs
- ‘WeightWatchers set me up to fail’ – Why diet industry is losing to jabs like Ozempic