A weight-loss pill called Molecule has gone viral on Russian TikTok, sparking major concern after reports of severe side effects and hospitalizations among young users.
Videos promoting the blue-packaged “Molecule Plus” pills flooded the app earlier this year, with captions like “Take Molecule and forget food exists.” Influencers and teens shared clips of their so-called weight-loss journeys, quickly driving up online sales.
But the viral trend has turned dangerous. Maria, a 22-year-old from St Petersburg, said she bought the pills online and took two a day. Within two weeks, her mouth became dry, her appetite disappeared, and she developed severe anxiety and disturbing thoughts. “These pills were having a profound effect on my psyche,” she said.
Other users reported tremors, insomnia, and dilated pupils. At least three schoolchildren were hospitalized, including a girl from Siberia who overdosed in an attempt to slim down before summer, and a 13-year-old boy who suffered panic attacks and hallucinations.
Investigations by Russian newspaper Izvestiya revealed that the pills contain sibutramine, a banned weight-loss drug once used as an antidepressant and appetite suppressant. Sibutramine was outlawed in the US, UK, and EU over a decade ago due to increased risks of heart attacks and strokes.
Although legal in Russia for prescription use in adults, the unlicensed sale of sibutramine is a criminal offense. Yet Molecule continues to be sold online, often rebranded under new names like Atom, and disguised as “sports nutrition” or even “lightbulbs” to evade regulation.
Authorities have struggled to curb the illegal trade, even after new laws allowed them to block websites selling unregistered supplements. The pills, costing around £6–7 for a 20-day supply, are a cheaper alternative to legitimate weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, fueling their popularity among teens.
Health experts warn of serious risks. Endocrinologist Dr. Ksenia Solovieva cautioned that “self-administration of this drug is very unsafe,” as there is no control over dosage or ingredients in such unregulated products.
Despite crackdowns, Molecule remains widely available. Some sellers claim the pills are made in China or Germany, though investigations found no trace of legitimate manufacturers at the listed addresses.
Online eating disorder communities have also been promoting the drug under coded hashtags to bypass moderation. Influencer Anna Enina, who previously admitted using unlicensed weight-loss pills, has since warned her followers: “The consequences will be dire. You’ll regret it tenfold.”
Maria, who was hospitalized after taking the pills, now spends her time warning others. “I don’t want anyone else to go through what I did,” she said — yet her TikTok feed remains filled with videos promoting the same dangerous trend.
