Rachel V Thomas

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What Is Viral Heightmaxxing? US Doctors Warn Teen Boys Against Taking Cancer Drug To Grow Taller

Several viral social media trends promoting physical appearance and self-improvement have raised health concerns, with some encouraging potentially dangerous practices.

One such trend, known as "<span>heightmaxxing</span>", has prompted warnings from doctors after reports emerged of teenage boys taking black-market cancer drugs in an attempt to grow taller.

Aolescents are reportedly experimenting with <span>erdafitinib</span>, often referred to online as "ERDA" or "Erta", a prescription drug approved to treat advanced <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/bladder-cancer">bladder cancer</a></span>. The trend appears to have gained traction following online discussions suggesting the medication could increase height.

"It's extremely concerning that teenagers are experimenting with powerful cancer medications in an attempt to grow taller," Dr. Stephanie Widmer, a New York City-based emergency medicine physician, told Fox News.

"These drugs were developed to treat serious medical conditions, not to enhance physical appearance, and taking them without a legitimate medical indication or physician supervision can have devastating consequences," Widmer added.

In a statement to magazine Rolling Stone, drugmaker <span>Johnson &amp; Johnson</span> emphasised that erdafitinib has never been approved to stimulate height growth and that its safety and effectiveness have not been established in children or adolescents.

<h2>Can Erdafitinib Actually Increase Height?</h2>

<strong>Also read</strong>: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/after-ferritin-face-doctors-warn-about-ferritin-hair-what-are-the-signs-article-156499919" data-type="tilCustomLink">After Ferritin Face, Doctors Warn About 'Ferritin Hair': What Are The Signs?</a>

Medical research has documented unexpected growth spurts in children receiving erdafitinib for brain tumours. A 2024 study published in Hormone Research in Paediatrics described accelerated growth in two paediatric patients.

A separate case report documented a teenager who grew more than five inches during treatment but also developed serious skeletal complications.

However, doctors caution that these unexpected growth spurts do not necessarily indicate healthy skeletal development.

Dr. Jessica Gray, a family physician in Lubbock, Texas, warned that rapid, drug-induced growth could trigger dangerous structural problems, including premature growth plate damage and bone fractures, Fox News reported.

<h2>What Are The Health Risks Of Heightmaxxing With Cancer Drugs?</h2>

<strong>Read More: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/joe-biden-opens-up-about-life-with-stage-4-prostate-cancer-it-hasnt-stopped-me-but-sometimes-slowed-down-article-156498908" data-type="tilCustomLink">Joe Biden Opens Up About Life With Stage 4 Prostate Cancer: ‘It Hasn't Stopped Me, But Sometimes Slowed Down’</a>

Widmer noted that height is largely determined by genetics and that there are no shortcuts to increasing it. Once the growth plates close towards the end of puberty, medications cannot reopen them. This means older adolescents taking erdafitinib could face serious health risks without any prospect of gaining height, she said.

"One of the biggest concerns is that these medications can cause serious side effects, including potentially permanent vision damage, elevated phosphate levels and other metabolic abnormalities," Widmer said.

"We're talking about adolescents whose bodies are still developing, and exposing them to these risks for a cosmetic goal is particularly troubling."

Erdafitinib works by blocking specific cellular signalling pathways involved in cancer cell growth. These pathways also play a role in bone development, which may help explain the unexpected growth observed in some paediatric patients.

Other reported side effects include skeletal pain, particularly in the hips or knees, mouth sores, loose nails and skin disorders.

Doctors advise parents to watch for unusual joint pain or unexplained physical changes and speak openly with their children if they suspect they are using medications obtained online.

Teenagers concerned about their height or growth should consult a paediatrician rather than experiment with prescription drugs.

"We should be encouraging teenagers to prioritize their health, not teaching them to gamble with it," Widmer said. "No amount of additional height is worth risking permanent damage to your vision or other serious and potentially unknown medical complications."

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Several viral social media trends promoting physical appearance and self-improvement have raised health concerns, with some encouraging potentially dangerous practices.One such trend, known as "heightmaxxing", has prompted warnings from doctors after reports emerged of teenage boys taking black-market cancer drugs in an attempt to grow taller.Aolescents are reportedly experimenting with erdafitinib, often referred to online as "ERDA" or "Erta", a prescription drug approved to treat advanced bladder cancer. The trend appears to have gained traction following online discussions suggesting the medication could increase height."It's extremely concerning that teenagers are experimenting with powerful cancer medications in an attempt to grow taller," Dr. Stephanie Widmer, a New York City-based emergency medicine physician, told Fox News."These drugs were developed to treat serious medical conditions, not to enhance physical appearance, and taking them without a legitimate medical indication or physician supervision can have devastating consequences," Widmer added.In a statement to magazine Rolling Stone, drugmaker Johnson & Johnson emphasised that erdafitinib has never been approved to stimulate height growth and that its safety and effectiveness have not been established in children or adolescents.Can Erdafitinib Actually Increase Height?Also read: After Ferritin Face, Doctors Warn About 'Ferritin Hair': What Are The Signs?Medical research has documented unexpected growth spurts in children receiving erdafitinib for brain tumours. A 2024 study published in Hormone Research in Paediatrics described accelerated growth in two paediatric patients.A separate case report documented a teenager who grew more than five inches during treatment but also developed serious skeletal complications.However, doctors caution that these unexpected growth spurts do not necessarily indicate healthy skeletal development.Dr. Jessica Gray, a family physician in Lubbock, Texas, warned that rapid, drug-induced growth could trigger dangerous structural problems, including premature growth plate damage and bone fractures, Fox News reported.What Are The Health Risks Of Heightmaxxing With Cancer Drugs?Read More: Joe Biden Opens Up About Life With Stage 4 Prostate Cancer: ‘It Hasn't Stopped Me, But Sometimes Slowed Down’Widmer noted that height is largely determined by genetics and that there are no shortcuts to increasing it. Once the growth plates close towards the end of puberty, medications cannot reopen them. This means older adolescents taking erdafitinib could face serious health risks without any prospect of gaining height, she said."One of the biggest concerns is that these medications can cause serious side effects, including potentially permanent vision damage, elevated phosphate levels and other metabolic abnormalities," Widmer said."We're talking about adolescents whose bodies are still developing, and exposing them to these risks for a cosmetic goal is particularly troubling."Erdafitinib works by blocking specific cellular signalling pathways involved in cancer cell growth. These pathways also play a role in bone development, which may help explain the unexpected growth observed in some paediatric patients.Other reported side effects include skeletal pain, particularly in the hips or knees, mouth sores, loose nails and skin disorders.What Should Parents Do?Doctors advise parents to watch for unusual joint pain or unexplained physical changes and speak openly with their children if they suspect they are using medications obtained online.Teenagers concerned about their height or growth should consult a paediatrician rather than experiment with prescription drugs."We should be encouraging teenagers to prioritize their health, not teaching them to gamble with it," Widmer said. "No amount of additional height is worth risking permanent damage to your vision or other serious and potentially unknown medical complications."

what is viral heightmaxxing? us doctors warn teen boys against using cancer drug

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