Illegal Trade of Appetite Suppressants Amid New Year Diet Enthusiasm... 'Warning on Misuse'

Psychotropic Drugs, Online Transactions Prevail Without Hospital Prescriptions
Overdose Raises Concerns of Mental Illness and Other Side Effects

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghoon Jeong] As the new year begins, more people are deciding to go on diets and seeking appetite suppressants. However, concerns about misuse are also being raised due to cases using online distribution channels rather than proper prescriptions through medical institutions.

On the 7th, it was revealed that transactions of appetite suppressants, which are psychotropic drugs (narcotics), are rampant mainly on secondhand trading sites and social networking services (SNS). The sale of appetite suppressants is announced through the initial consonants of product names or specific tags, and transactions are conducted via private messages.

Appetite suppressants can be prescribed at medical institutions for the purpose of obesity treatment. However, because some people want to purchase products beyond the prescribed amount based on a doctor's diagnosis, such illicit transactions are widespread. Visiting multiple clinics to receive several prescriptions can leave records in the Narcotics Integrated Management System of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, which can lead to detection.

When taking appetite suppressants beyond the prescribed amount, significant side effects must be endured. Professor Haeguk Lee of the Department of Mental Health at Catholic University stated, "Many people are hospitalized due to mental illnesses after overdosing," adding, "For those suffering from depression, symptoms can worsen, so to reduce side effects of appetite suppressants, it is necessary to consult specialists and receive an appropriate prescription."

Appetite suppressants are psychotropic drugs that act on the brain to reduce feelings of hunger or increase satiety. Phentermine, a representative appetite suppressant ingredient, increases dopamine secretion to boost basal metabolic rate and reduce appetite. Long-term overdose of appetite suppressants can increase the risk of side effects such as pulmonary arterial hypertension and serious heart diseases. For example, Mr. Lee (32), who took phentermine-based appetite suppressants, said, "I experienced weight loss effects in a short time and took the drug for over two months, but I stopped because I felt depressed," adding, "Perhaps because I relied too much on the drug, after stopping, my suppressed appetite increased and my weight went up again." According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, since 2016, there have been 1,279 reported cases of side effects from appetite suppressants, including 4 deaths.

Analyzing big data from the Narcotics Integrated Management System for about 10 months from July 2018 to April last year, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety found that the number of patients prescribed appetite suppressants reached 1.16 million. The Ministry also requested police investigations into 19 patients who excessively purchased appetite suppressants and 7 clinics that prescribed them for non-therapeutic purposes. Excessive purchase or illegal purchase and resale of appetite suppressants without hospital prescriptions violate the Narcotics Control Act and can result in imprisonment for up to 5 years or fines up to 50 million won.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.