Medicines used for epilepsy, migraine, and alcohol addiction treatment were recently found to be openly promoted on TikTok among Children as weight loss pills.
As a report from The Sun specified, parents have been warned that hazardous diet pills are being promoted on social media.
A study showed that prescription-only pills were being promoted to teenage individuals in search of diet pills.
The research team analyzed the top 100 popular posts from users with the hashtag #dietpills and discovered that a number of people were promoting the use of that "prescription-only" medicine.
Phentermine
The most frequently mentioned prescription drug mentioned in the post was an appetite suppressant not authorized in the United Kingdom, known as "phentermine," which is detailed in a Mayo Clinic report.
The medication is used in some countries for obesity treatment. Nonetheless, it can sometimes lead to lung and heart diseases in some severe cases.
The British Dietetic Association told the Pharmaceutical Journal about "diet claims that are unrealistic," not to mention, backed by evidence-based science.
It added social media can be hazardous no matter what an individual's age is. However, those aged below 16 years old, they can have quite real consequences.
Sold in 'Child-Friendly' Packaging
A TikTok spokesperson said that the social media platform's Community Guidelines make clear that they're not allowing the promotion or trade of regulated substances which include prescription weight loss drugs and that the company will take out content that's violating the policies.
The said journal also specified that the social medial giant took out some of the videos after it reported them. Meanwhile, cannabis sweets are being offered to young adults and children on social media.
A SkyNews report said the sweets have been designated in "child-friendly" packaging, disguised as brands like "Haribo," to make them more enticing.
The investigation raised concerns among many that the drugs are luring kids into drug trafficking in their local sites.
Containing Psychoactive Compound
Amid growing concerns for the safety of children, the Founder and Chief Executive at Private Rehab Clinic Delamare Martin Preston warned about the devastating consequences of buying cannabis gummies online.
He explained that, despite their innocent look, the said gummies are frequently stronger compared to smoking the substance.
This is because the psychoactive compound in cannabis that are producing the high sensation also known as the THC chemicals can take a lot longer to take effect.
It may lead the person as well to eat too much due to the delayed reaction, Preston explained. This, in turn, may result in hazardous consequences, not to mention, side effects which include anxiety, impaired memory, poor attention span, and paranoia.
Danger of Accidental Overconsumption
Since cannabis is illegal in the UK, young individuals seeking edibles will frequently turn to instant messaging apps, the dark web, as well as social media platforms such as Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok.
The problem with this is that even though products like cannabis gummies are claiming to be harmless, they can not only pose a danger of accidental overconsumption but may contain an entire host of hazardous unidentified chemicals as well, which could result in the consumer being severely
unwell, or may even be lethal.
In early 2022, a lead researcher said that marijuana-based gummies and pills, helping in the prevention of infections of the COVID-19 virus, could be rolled out soon.
Report about the drug being pushed to children as a weight loss remedy is shown on Daily Panda News's YouTube video below:
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