Are the “Internet celebrity drugs” bought overseas that are popular in the circle of friends really effective?

Nowadays, many young people are keen on buying "Internet celebrity drugs" that are popular in WeChat Moments. These drugs are basically claimed to be "pure natural" and "imported", mainly for common "minor ailments", with "immediate effects" and "no side effects". You can just move your fingers at home and wait for the delivery, without having to go to the hospital to register and queue up to see a doctor...

So, is this popular "Internet celebrity medicine" really safe and effective?

01"Japanese National Painkillers"——EVE

EVE is touted online as a "miracle painkiller" that can cure any pain and has "no side effects." Many netizens say it is more effective than ibuprofen, works faster, and has "immediate results."

Looking at the instructions of EVE, we can see that this drug is a compound analgesic containing three ingredients: ibuprofen, allyl isopropyl acetylurea (valproyl urea), and anhydrous caffeine. Valproyl urea is a sedative hypnotic with a strong analgesic effect; caffeine can increase the antipyretic and analgesic effect. This is why netizens say that this drug works faster and more effectively than ibuprofen alone.

However, it should be pointed out that valproylurea has a certain degree of dependence and addiction, and can cause thrombocytopenic purpura after taking it, and has been eliminated in many countries. Therefore, the instructions for this drug clearly state in the [Precautions]: It cannot be used for a long time.

This drug is classified as a Category II drug in Japan, which means that its side effects may endanger your health. It can only be sold in registered pharmacies and can only be purchased after a pharmacist has explained its usage and side effects in detail. Mail order and online sales are prohibited.

02 "Rhinitis Killer" - NAZAL Rhinitis Spray

On the Internet, NAZAL nasal spray is claimed to be a "miracle" drug for allergic rhinitis, which is "fast-acting", "non-allergic", "non-drug-resistant", and can be used for a long time...

But if you look carefully at the instructions for the drug, you will find that the main ingredients of the drug include naphazoline hydrochloride (50 mg), chlorpheniramine maleate (500 mg), and benzalkonium chloride (10 mg). However, naphazoline hydrochloride has long been eliminated in my country.

Naphazoline hydrochloride can eliminate nasal mucosal swelling and quickly relieve nasal congestion by constricting nasal mucosal blood vessels. The effect of this ingredient can only last for 2 to 3 hours, and if used continuously for more than 7 days or dripped too frequently, it is easy to cause symptom rebound and even drug-induced rhinitis, further drying up the nasal cavity and shrinking the nasal mucosa, causing permanent damage.

This drug also belongs to the second category of drugs in Japan, and mail order and online sales are prohibited.

03 "Harmless weight loss magic medicine" - Thailand DC weight loss pills

On August 17, 2020, the Shanghai Narcotics Control Office held a press conference to report on the situation of new drugs. Among them, the "Internet celebrity" Thai DC diet pills are one of the varieties identified as new drugs.

The full name of DC weight loss pills is Dermcare Clinic, which is usually sold in capsules of different colors. Online, purchasing agents call it a "prescription drug" in Thailand, which requires filling in personal physical conditions to be prescribed on demand, so many netizens believe that the drug is "safe" and "effective." Little do they know that the drug contains a variety of banned ingredients.

The main ingredient of this drug is phentermine, a psychotropic drug under state control. It has stimulant and hallucinogenic effects, can cause anxiety and mental tension, and can also cause dependence and addiction if used for a long time. This drug also contains diazepam, which is mostly used for anti-anxiety, sedation and hypnosis, and can cause tolerance and dependence if used for a long time. Both ingredients have been included in the "Catalogue of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Drugs" in my country.

In addition, the auxiliary ingredients of this drug also include fluoxetine and thyroxine T4. Fluoxetine is an antidepressant. Long-term excessive use of thyroxine T4 can easily lead to hyperthyroidism. Taking these two drugs at will will cause more serious adverse reactions.

"Internet celebrity drugs" generally have problems such as exaggerated publicity by merchants, complex ingredients, users cannot understand the instructions, and uncertain efficacy. We solemnly remind everyone: Be sure to use legal drugs approved by the state, don't be blind, don't follow the trend, ask the pharmacist, and follow the doctor's advice!

Note: The pictures in this article are provided by the author

Author: Xu Yiyin Chen Yan, Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University

Review expert: Zhang Xueli, deputy chief pharmacist of Zhongda Hospital affiliated to Southeast University

Shao Hua, Chief Pharmacist of Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University