With a rise in body image issues and hazy standards set by social media influencers, the youth are beginning to find a variety of problems in what they see in the mirror. From too many belly rolls to pot belly, every kind of body issue is being dealt with by reaching for the nearest pill or jab. While weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and more might be doing the rounds in the US and UK, the Russian youth have been hooked on a pill that is viral on their TikTok and sold out in their pharmacies- Molecule.
Molecule- A harmful weight loss solution?
The social media feeds of the many youngsters in Russia are filled with captions claiming, “Take Molecule and forget food exists” with clips of blue boxes featuring holograms and “Molecule Plus” labels. Teenagers all over have been trying out the viral pills and sharing their “weight-loss journey” with the world. But as is the case with any medicine, the side effects don’t remain hidden for long. Maria, 22, shared with the BBC how she procured the pill from an online retailer and began taking two per day. Two weeks later, her mouth dried up, she completely lost her appetite and developed severe anxiety. For other users, the negative consequences came in the form of dilated pupils, tremors and insomnia.
Molecule: Not travelling to the US, UK and EU?
One would wonder why a pill similar to the weight loss drugs viral and overly sold in the US, UK and EU has not crossed the borders yet? Consider this, the packaging of the pills often lists “natural ingredients” such as dandelion root and fennel seed extract. However, earlier this year some journalists at Izvestiya, a Russian newspaper submitted the pills they had purchased online and found them to be contaminated with a substance called sibutramine. The use of sibutramine began as an antidepressant in the 1980s and moved on as an appetite suppressant. Later, studies found it to increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes while only slightly promoting weight loss and thus, it was banned in the US in 2010 and made illegal in the UK, EU, China and other countries.
Molecule: Ruling Russia
In Russia, the substance is still used to treat obesity but is only available to adults via prescription. Purchasing and selling it without one is a criminal offence but there’s always an illegal way of procuring it. According to endocrinologist Ksenia Solovieva, self-administering the drug is highly unsafe as the amount of active ingredient in it remains unknown.Since the beginning of prison sentences for purchasing and reselling Molecule pills, many online marketplaces have removed them from sale. However, it was launched in the market under a new name, Atom.
How does Molecule differ from Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs?
Ozempic and similar drugs work by mimicking the effects of GLP-1 gut hormone, slowing down digestion and regulating blood sugar, keeping one full after eating. Aimed for specific conditions like Type 2 diabetes and obesity, these are prescription-based meds that are FDA approved and their effects are supported by clinical trials. Molecule pills on the other hand, are marketed as a weight loss supplement and contain the banned substance sibutramine along with other unknown ingredients in indefinite quantities. The sale of the pills is prohibited in Russia and other countries. But why are Russians still buying these pills when GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic are available in the market? Well, these unlicensed pills cost about £6-7 ($8-9) for a 20-day supply – much cheaper than recognised weight-loss injections like Ozempic, which on the Russian market sell for £40-160 ($50-210) per monthly pen. Thus, for the buyers, mostly teenagers and adolescents, the cheaper option seems to be the better. While certain influencers who have tried and tested the pills have shared warnings over their dire side effects, Molecule pills are still being sold and procured by the Russian youth.Note: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new medication or treatment.