In Russia, a cheap and unlicensed weight-loss pill called Molecule has become increasingly popular among young people on TikTok. The pill promises rapid weight loss, but its safety is a major concern. Users share their "weight-loss journeys" on social media, often with captions that appear to promote healthy eating habits or stress the importance of mental well-being.
However, many users have reported severe side effects after taking the pills, including anxiety, insomnia, tremors, and dilated pupils. At least three schoolchildren have been hospitalized due to their use of Molecule, and a 22-year-old woman named Maria was sent to the hospital after taking too many pills. She now discourages others from using the pill.
The packaging for Molecule often lists "natural ingredients" such as dandelion root and fennel seed extract. However, tests have revealed that the pills contain sibutramine, a substance banned in many countries due to its link to serious health problems, including heart attacks and strokes. Sibutramine was first used as an antidepressant in the 1980s but was later removed from the market due to these risks.
In Russia, sibutramine is still prescribed for obesity treatment, but only with a doctor's prescription. However, many young people are purchasing Molecule online without proper medical supervision, often at significantly lower prices than approved weight-loss medications.
The Russian government has attempted to crack down on the sale of Molecule by removing it from online marketplaces and blocking websites that sell unlicensed supplements. However, sellers have found ways to evade these efforts by rebranding the pill as "sports nutrition" or other misleading labels.
Online eating-disorder communities have become spaces where Molecule is promoted, with users relying on hashtags and coded terms to avoid detection. Experts warn that this can be particularly problematic for young people who already struggle with eating disorders, as the pills can exacerbate these conditions.
The popularity of Molecule highlights a growing trend in Russia towards self-diagnosis and self-treatment of health issues, often fueled by social media and online communities. As one expert notes, "self-administration of this drug is very unsafe" due to the lack of regulation and oversight in the Russian market.
However, many users have reported severe side effects after taking the pills, including anxiety, insomnia, tremors, and dilated pupils. At least three schoolchildren have been hospitalized due to their use of Molecule, and a 22-year-old woman named Maria was sent to the hospital after taking too many pills. She now discourages others from using the pill.
The packaging for Molecule often lists "natural ingredients" such as dandelion root and fennel seed extract. However, tests have revealed that the pills contain sibutramine, a substance banned in many countries due to its link to serious health problems, including heart attacks and strokes. Sibutramine was first used as an antidepressant in the 1980s but was later removed from the market due to these risks.
In Russia, sibutramine is still prescribed for obesity treatment, but only with a doctor's prescription. However, many young people are purchasing Molecule online without proper medical supervision, often at significantly lower prices than approved weight-loss medications.
The Russian government has attempted to crack down on the sale of Molecule by removing it from online marketplaces and blocking websites that sell unlicensed supplements. However, sellers have found ways to evade these efforts by rebranding the pill as "sports nutrition" or other misleading labels.
Online eating-disorder communities have become spaces where Molecule is promoted, with users relying on hashtags and coded terms to avoid detection. Experts warn that this can be particularly problematic for young people who already struggle with eating disorders, as the pills can exacerbate these conditions.
The popularity of Molecule highlights a growing trend in Russia towards self-diagnosis and self-treatment of health issues, often fueled by social media and online communities. As one expert notes, "self-administration of this drug is very unsafe" due to the lack of regulation and oversight in the Russian market.
russia is like totally outta control with this Molecule pill thingy 
it sounds like a total scam, but these young ppl are literally taking it and sharing their "weight-loss journeys" on tiktok 
like they're promoting some kind of healthy habit or something 
meanwhile, people are literally dying from anxiety, insomnia, and tremors 
and dont even get me started on the sibutramine thingy... thats just crazy talk! 
gotta wonder how many more ppl are gonna get hurt before the gov gets its act together 
#MoleculePill #WeightLossScam #SafetyFirst
. And it's not just the physical side effects that are concerning - the psychological impact is huge too 
. These kids are already dealing with anxiety and depression, and then they start popping pills that can make things worse 
. I mean, we all know Russia's healthcare system isn't perfect, but come on! There needs to be some accountability here 
. The government's efforts to crack down on Molecule are a good start, but they need to do more to educate people about the dangers of these pills 
.
. Eating disorders are already so hard to deal with, and then you add this into the mix... it's just not right 
. We need to be more mindful of how we're promoting health and wellness online 
.
We need to raise awareness about this and make sure people know the risks before they take anything like Molecule. It's just not worth it... 
It's crazy how easy it is for companies to get away with selling unlicensed meds by just rebranding them as something else 
.
. I mean, how can people not do their research before taking some random pill from the internet? 
. We need to be more careful about what we're putting in our bodies and who's regulating these meds 
. Let's get the word out there and help these young people make informed choices 
.
! I mean, sure it's cheap and looks natural on Instagram posts 
And now they're saying it has sibutramine in it which is like a recipe for disaster 
, I think she's really brave. But the thing is, we should all be warning each other not to take this pill 
! The Russian government needs to crack down on these online marketplaces ASAP 
and get Molecule off the streets.
... experts say it can be super bad for people who already have eating disorders, and I'm just like "ugh don't even get me started" 
.
. Those natural ingredients sound legit at first, but sibutramine is basically a ticking time bomb 
. Like, how can you trust something that's banned in other countries? And these schools are literally getting kids hospitalized because of it 
this is so messed up! I mean, I get it, people wanna lose weight, but Molecule's got some sketchy ingredients, like sibutramine, which can cause serious health probs 
It's crazy how some people just ignore the warnings and still buy 'em online 
. The Russian gov's trying to crack down on it, but it's like they're chasing shadows 
. We need better regulation on these kinda supplements! 
. I mean, if someone wants to try it out, that's their prerogative. All these worries about side effects are just overblown 
. And honestly, can't we all just chill and focus on the benefits? People are losing weight and feeling good, what's not to love about that 
. And let's be real, the Russian government is just trying to stifle freedom and individuality 
.