Dangerous ‘Barbie drug’ Melanotan-II sparks crackdown on social media influencers
Source: ABC News, December 2022
Authorities are warning about a product dubbed the “Barbie drug" that promises to give users a tan without the sun, but can have serious side effects including, in rare cases, melanoma.
Last month the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) issued a warning about Melanotan-II, a substance being widely spruiked on social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.
Melanotan-I is a prescription drug used to treat a rare incurable genetic disorder, but Melanotan-II is not approved by the TGA and its development as a potential medication was halted years ago due to safety concerns.