An unlicensed weight-loss pill known as "Molecule" has gained popularity on Russian TikTok, particularly among young people. The pill, which users claim promotes rapid weight loss, has been associated with various reported side effects and hospitalizations. Investigations have revealed the presence of sibutramine, a substance banned in several countries due to health risks, in these unregulated products. Despite efforts by authorities to curb its sale, the pill continues to be available online, often under disguised listings or new names.
Rise on Social Media and Reported Effects
Earlier this year, the "Molecule" pill gained traction on Russian TikTok, with user-generated content promoting its use for weight loss. Posts included claims such as "Take Molecule and forget food exists." Users shared their experiences, often showing blue boxes with "Molecule Plus" labels.
Individuals who have used the pill reported experiencing side effects. Maria, 22, stated that after two weeks of taking two pills daily, she experienced dry mouth, a complete loss of appetite, nervousness, constant lip biting, and cheek chewing. She also reported developing anxiety and negative thoughts, describing a "profound effect on [her] psyche." Other TikTok users have mentioned symptoms such as dilated pupils, tremors, and insomnia.
Reports indicate that at least three schoolchildren have required hospital care after taking Molecule pills:
- In April, a schoolgirl in Chita, Siberia, received hospital care for an overdose. Local reports suggested she was attempting rapid weight loss for summer.
- Another schoolgirl was admitted to intensive care after taking multiple pills simultaneously, according to her mother.
- In May, a 13-year-old boy in St Petersburg was hospitalized with hallucinations and panic attacks. He had reportedly acquired the pill after experiencing teasing about his weight at school.
Pill Composition and Legal Status
The packaging of Molecule pills often lists "natural ingredients" such as dandelion root and fennel seed extract. However, tests conducted by journalists at the Russian newspaper Izvestiya on pills purchased online identified sibutramine as an active component.
Sibutramine, initially used as an antidepressant in the 1980s and later as an appetite suppressant, was subsequently found in studies to increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes while providing limited weight loss benefits. Consequently, it was banned in the US in 2010 and is illegal in the UK, EU, China, and other countries. In Russia, sibutramine is a prescription-only medication for adults to treat obesity, and its purchase and sale without a prescription are criminal offenses.
Unlicensed Molecule pills are available for approximately £6-7 ($8-9) for a 20-day supply, a cost lower than recognized weight-loss injections like Ozempic, which retail for £40-160 ($50-210) per monthly pen in the Russian market.
Online Sales and Enforcement Challenges
Despite the illegal status of selling sibutramine without a prescription, individuals and small businesses continue to sell Molecule pills online, sometimes in doses exceeding those found in legal medications. Russian authorities have issued prison sentences for individuals involved in purchasing and reselling these pills.
In April, the government-backed Safe Internet League reported the trend to authorities, leading several major online marketplaces to remove Molecule from sale. However, the product subsequently reappeared online under the name "Atom" with similar packaging. A recently passed law allows authorities to block websites selling "unregistered dietary supplements" without a court order, but sellers have circumvented this by classifying products as "sports nutrition." Retailers on TikTok have been observed listing Molecule under disguised descriptions, such as muesli, biscuits, or lightbulbs, while some listings are openly visible. A popular Russian online marketplace, when contacted by the BBC, stated it had removed products containing sibutramine but acknowledged difficulty in identifying listings that did not explicitly mention the substance.
Unknown Origin and Production Claims
The precise composition and manufacturing location of Molecule pills remain unclear. The BBC identified some sellers presenting production certificates from factories in Guangzhou and Henan, China. Other sellers claim German origin, with some packets stating production in Remagen, Germany; however, no such company is listed at the provided address. Kazakh vendors selling Molecule to Russians reported purchasing stock from friends or warehouses in Astana but could not name the original suppliers.
Warnings and Specific Risks
Endocrinologist Ksenia Solovieva from St. Petersburg stated that "self-administration of this drug is very unsafe," citing potential overdose risks due to unknown active ingredient concentrations in such "dietary supplements." Online eating-disorder communities have also become platforms for Molecule promotion, utilizing hashtags and coded terms to evade content moderation. Ms. Solovieva highlighted the particular harm the pill poses to young individuals with existing eating disorders, noting that an accessible appetite suppressant could be dangerous for those in or near relapse. Anna Enina, a Russian influencer with a large following who has previously used unlicensed weight-loss pills, warned her subscribers of "dire consequences" based on her experience with eating disorders. Maria, a user of Molecule, now advises others against trying the pill.