A small blue pill called Molecule has become a major trend among young people in Russia, especially on TikTok, where it is hailed as a quick fix for weight loss. Marketed as a “natural supplement” made with dandelion root and fennel seed extract, it has drawn huge attention for its low price and bold promises. But independent testing has uncovered a troubling truth — the tablets actually contain a banned substance linked to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke, and is baned in the US, UK, EU, and China.What Is Molecule?Earlier this year, Molecule swept through Russian TikTok, promoted as a fast and easy way to lose weight. Feeds were filled with videos captioned “Take Molecule and forget food exists” or “Do you want to sit in the back of class wearing oversized clothes?” Fridges lined with the pill’s distinctive blue boxes, featuring holographic “Molecule Plus” labels, became a status symbol. Orders began flooding in as teens proudly documented their “weight-loss journeys.” But soon, the excitement gave way to alarm. Users began reporting severe side effects. Maria, a 22-year-old, told the BBC that after just two weeks, she experienced extreme anxiety, dehydration, and a complete loss of appetite. Others complained of insomnia, shaking hands, and dilated pupils. Several school students were eventually hospitalized.What Does Molecule Contain?Despite its packaging listing herbal ingredients such as dandelion root and fennel seed, a report by the Russian newspaper Izvestiya revealed that Molecule actually contains sibutramine, which is a prescription-only appetite suppressant known to raise the risk of heart attack and stroke. Sibutramine was banned in the United States in 2010 and is also illegal in the United Kingdom, the European Union, and China.What Is Sibutramine?Sibutramine is an appetite-suppressing drug once prescribed for obesity. It acts as a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), increasing feelings of fullness and reducing hunger. Although it proved effective for weight loss, it was withdrawn from global markets after studies showed it could significantly increase the risk of serious cardiovascular problems, including heart attacks and strokes. The risks were deemed too high, especially since many people seeking weight-loss treatment already face heart-related health concerns.Is Molecule Similar To Weight-Loss Drugs Like Ozempic or Wegovy?While Ozempic and similar injections are medically approved and work by targeting gut hormones that regulate appetite and blood sugar, Molecule is an unregulated supplement containing a banned chemical. It has never undergone safety testing, and it is sold freely without medical oversight or prescription.How is Molecule Still Being Sold in Russia?Although sibutramine is legally available in Russia only through prescription for adults with obesity, Molecule is sold openly online, often in higher doses and without supervision. Even after e-commerce sites removed listings, it quickly resurfaced under new names like “Atom,” disguised as diet biscuits or even packaged to look like lightbulbs, as per the BBC report.A 20-day supply costs only £6–7 (around ₹700), compared with the £40–160 (₹4,000–16,000) monthly price tag of Ozempic shots in Russia. Its affordability and strong presence on social media have made it particularly appealing to teens chasing unrealistic body ideals.For now, Molecule remains popular across Russia’s online weight-loss market. It is cheap, accessible, and heavily promoted. Yet beneath the glossy marketing and viral videos lies a serious health threat. The so-called pill “to forget food exists” could well become another warning about the dangers of fast-track weight-loss solutions in a culture fixated on instant change.
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