A disturbing trend among teenagers is gaining momentum in Ukraine - the popularity of “Molecula” weight loss capsules, which are actively advertised on TikTok and marketplaces. Under the slogan “minus 10 kilograms per month,” teenagers are offered a dangerous drug that may contain sibutramine, a psychotropic substance banned in the EU due to the risks of heart attack, insomnia, and serious mental problems.
An investigation by OBOZ.UA journalists showed that “Molecula” is being distributed through social networks, Telegram channels, and Internet platforms. In most advertising videos, bloggers promise instant results without diets or exercise, without warning about the dangers. At the same time, the official instructions for the drug do not indicate the complete composition - information about the presence of sibutramine is hidden.
The European Medicines Agency banned the use of sibutramine in pharmaceuticals a few years ago due to high risks for the cardiovascular system. In Ukraine, this component still enters the market through a “gray” scheme, in particular through supplies from Kazakhstan or China.
19-year-old Victoria from Kyiv told reporters that after a month of taking Molecule, she went to the doctor with hypertension and tachycardia. “My heart was pounding, my hands were shaking, and I couldn’t sleep. They told me it was normal, that the body was ‘releasing energy.’ And then it got scary — I stopped taking it and sought help,” the girl recalls.
Doctors warn: drugs with sibutramine affect the central nervous system, change the work of the heart and brain. Endocrinologists emphasize that such drugs do not treat obesity, but only temporarily suppress appetite, causing addiction. After stopping the drug, the weight quickly returns.
Psychologists note that the fashion for “miracle capsules” among teenagers is a consequence of the pressure of social networks, where the cult of the “ideal figure” is cultivated. Due to the desire to meet unrealistic standards, many young people put themselves in danger.
Experts urge parents, teachers, and doctors to pay attention to this problem, explain to teenagers the risks of "quick" weight loss methods, and control their access to dangerous drugs.
