Molecule, a pill promising rapid weight loss, went viral on Russian TikTok earlier this year. Young people's feeds started filling up with captions like Take Molecule and forget food exists and Do you want to sit in the back of the class in oversized clothes? Clips showcased fridges lined with blue boxes featuring holograms and Molecule Plus labels. The orders began piling in as teenagers shared their weight-loss journeys on social media.
However, there was a catch. Maria, a 22-year-old from St Petersburg, purchased the pill from a popular online retailer. After taking two pills per day for two weeks, she reported severe dehydration and loss of appetite. I had absolutely no desire to eat, let alone drink. I was nervous. I was constantly biting my lips and chewing my cheeks, she explained.
The negative cognitive effects didn't stop there; Maria developed severe anxiety and began having distressing thoughts. She was unprepared for such impactful side effects, which other users echoed, complaining of dilated pupils, tremors, and insomnia. Alarmingly, at least three schoolchildren have required hospitalization due to complications from the drug.
In April, a schoolgirl in Chita made headlines after overdosing on Molecule while trying to lose weight swiftly for the summer. A mother reported her daughter had to go to intensive care after taking multiple pills. Similarly, a 13-year-old boy experienced hallucinations and panic after taking the drug, prompted by bullying about his weight.
The packaging for Molecule pills often claims to contain natural ingredients such as dandelion root and fennel seed extract. However, investigations by the Russian newspaper Izvestiya revealed that the pills contain sibutramine, a substance banned in multiple countries including the US and the UK due to its health risks.
Sibutramine was initially prescribed as an antidepressant in the 1980s before being recognized as a weight-loss aid. However, research shows that it significantly increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes while only minimally promoting weight loss. Despite its detrimental effects, it remains available in Russia for adults with prescriptions, although illegal sales online persist.
Price played a significant role in the drug's appeal, costing about £6-7 ($8-9) for a 20-day supply—far cheaper than other weight-loss options like Ozempic, which can range from £40-160 ($50-210) per month. Dr. Ksenia Solovieva, an endocrinologist, warns, Self-administration of the drug is very unsafe... we do not know how much of the active ingredients such 'dietary supplements' may contain.
Government efforts to curb the trend have been largely ineffective. Though some large online marketplaces have removed Molecule, sellers quickly adapted by rebranding it as Atom. A newly passed law allows authorities to block websites selling unregistered dietary supplements, but sellers often circumvent this by listing them as sports nutrition. Marketplaces listing Molecule continue to flourish, often masked under innocuous product names.
Online communities focused on eating disorders have become breeding grounds for the promotion of Molecule, where users rely on coded hashtags to discuss their use of the drug. Doctors express utmost concern for young people already struggling with eating disorders, suggesting these pills can exacerbate their conditions.
Maria now discourages others from trying Molecule, having suffered serious health consequences herself. However, the allure of quick weight loss continues to tempt many, with social media being a constant reminder of the pill's deceptive promises.
