Pharmacists warn of Barbie drug melanotan

Pharmacists warn against „Barbie drug“ Melanotan: Tanning agent attacks immune and cardiovascular system.

Antidepressants with a health risk: The Federal Association of German Pharmacist Associations warns against the tanning agent melanotan distributed over the internet. The so-called "Barbie drug" can cause significant damage to health. The tanning agent can attack the human immune system and permanently damage the cardiovascular system. The health of the users is here in danger.

Brown, slim and sexy with melanotan
In the late 1980s, Melanotan was joined by a research team led by dermatologist Dr. Norman Levine discovered. In the search for a way to promote the tanning of the skin through an accelerated production of melanin for therapeutic purposes, they came across the hitherto unknown active ingredient. As a natural hormone, melanotan controls the production of melanin, the brown to black pigment that determines the color of the skin and leads to the tanning of the skin under UV rays. Since melanotan should also increase libido and at the same time curb the appetite, the drug quickly gained its reputation as „Barbie drug“ path. „Brown, slim and sexy thanks to a self-proclaimed miracle - this is a dangerous fallacy, "emphasized Erika Fink, President of the Federal Chamber of Pharmacists, so that the beauty fanatics have been waiting in vain for the market introduction of a tested drug with the appropriate approval by the health authorities Medicinal product distributed directly via the Internet, without expert advice from a doctor or pharmacist and always at the user's own risk.At the same time the distribution of the drug is illegal and punishable under the provisions of the Medicines Act.

Immune system and cardiovascular system are damaged
For example, the German pharmacists are warning against the side effects of the tanning agent melanotan distributed on the internet, because the "Barbie drug" can permanently damage the immune system and the cardiovascular system. In addition, the drug administered in capsules or syringes is suspected to induce vomiting, high blood pressure, redness on the face and a darkening of birthmarks, which makes the diagnosis of skin cancer considerably more difficult, according to the Federal Association of German Pharmacist Associations. Although the active ingredients Melanotan I and II are only modification of a body's own hormone, but the artificial intake of the substances can have serious health consequences. (fp, 28.10.2010)

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Image: Manfred Walker.