Tanning drug may be dangerous
2008-11-17 19:36
London - Health regulators warned people
on Monday not to use an injectable tanning drug because its
potential side-effects are unknown.
Melanotan, which is available over the internet and at some
salons and gyms, produces a tan in users by boosting the amount
of melanin, the body's natural protection from the sun.
However, the treatment is unlicensed and tests have not been
carried out to see what possible side-effects there are or how
serious they could be, the Medicines and Healthcare Products
Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said.
"We are warning people not to use this product. Don't be
fooled into thinking that Melanotan offers a shortcut to a safer and more even tan," said David Carter, Head of the Medicines Borderline Section at the MHRA.
"The safety of these products is unknown and they are
unlicensed in the UK. The side-effects could be extremely
serious."
One user of Melanotan said it required about 10 injections
to produce a "nice tan" and a further weekly injection to maintain it.
"Now I've started using it and seen the difference it makes, I'll carry on using it until I hear something different," Stacey Boardman told the BBC.
Illicit sales of medicines via the web are a growing problem
since many of the products are counterfeits of dubious quality
and potentially dangerous.
Last week authorities in nine countries including Britain
raided businesses suspected of supplying medicines illegally
over the internet.