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Super-strength sleep aid melatonin can be bought over TikTok, an LBC investigation has found.<\/p>\n
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\nLBC<\/p>\n
An investigation by LBC has raised concerns over the sale of super-strength prescription-only medication on TikTok.<\/p>\n
The investigation found the sleep aid melatonin – a prescription only medication in the UK – can be easily bought on the shopping feature of the app at 30 times the recommended NHS dose.<\/p>\n
According to the NHS website, a standard dose of the drug is one 2mg ‘slow release’ tablet taken 1 to 2 hours before bedtime. These release melatonin gradually into your body over the course of a night.<\/p>\n
After browsing the online marketplace, our reporter ordered 120 of the 30mg tablets from a brand calling themselves ‘Dai Tea’ without being required to show evidence of a prescription or going through any age verification processes.<\/p>\n
The 30mg product, described as a “dietary supplement” on the label, suggests an adult dosage of “one or two capsules once daily”. <\/p>\n
This equates to 60mg of melatonin – 30 times the recommended adult dose.<\/p>\n
The ease with which the medication was purchase has prompted concern over the availability of controlled substances bought online – particularly on an app widely used by young people.<\/p>\n
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the body that regulates medicines and medical devices, has confirmed to LBC that they are now investigating the products following our investigation.<\/p>\n
Pharmacist Umar Razzaq told LBC he finds the products “extremely worrying”, especially in such high doses.<\/p>\n
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60mg is 30 times the NHS recommended amount.<\/p>\n
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Mr Razzaq, pharmacist and co-founder of PharmacyOnline<\/a>, explained that he believes the problem is “getting dangerous” and warned against the consumption of such products.<\/p>\n “I definitely would not take anything that you’ve bought on TikTok, because you don’t even know that it’s melatonin, it could be anything.”<\/p>\n He added that in the UK, the advertising of prescription-only medication is not allowed.<\/p>\n Mr Razzaq instead suggested the need for an verification process, adding: “I think TikTok need to be doing a little bit more [to understand] who’s actually selling these drugs. <\/p>\n “I think it’s getting dangerous. They always say, like TikTok for example, ‘we’re going to crack down on this’ – but I don’t think it ever really happens.”<\/p>\n Side effects of the sleep hormone include drowsiness, nausea, headaches, and pains in your arms and legs amongst others.<\/p>\n Read more: ‘I’m feeling spicy’: Grok’s new ‘spicy’ AI girlfriend will develop relationships with children<\/a><\/p>\n Read more: Driving test chaos: Learners face 23,000-strong queues as bots snap up slots and ‘resell’ at inflated prices<\/a><\/p>\n The tablets came in food supplement form.<\/p>\n Picture: “TikTok\u2019s powerful algorithm seemed to pick up on the fact that I was struggling with sleep, and began showing me ads for these products,” our investigator said.<\/p>\n “TikTok is so widely used by children and young people – and while I understand the risks involved, a younger or less informed person might not.<\/p>\n “They can easily purchase these substances due to the lack of regulation and age verification – and potentially take a dangerous dose without really understanding what they\u2019re consuming.<\/p>\n “TikTok urgently needs to tighten controls around the sale of these products as soon as possible and improve the regulation of its shopping section before something serious happens.\u201d<\/p>\n Melatonin is used to aid sleep.<\/p>\n Picture: LBC also purchased lower-dose melatonin gummies which were similarly advertised on the platform’s marketplace.<\/p>\n Shaped like teddy bears and containing what the label states is 5mg of the prescription drug, the product’s label suggests the gummies are manufactured by a brand called “Daynee”.<\/p>\n The colourful, candy-like appearance of these 5mg gummies has raised concerns, given they closely resemble the popular sweets gummy bears.<\/p>\n The design means they are likely to appeal to young children, raising concerns they could even be mistaken for sweets.<\/p>\n The MHRA has now said they are investigating the products, with the manufacturer, Daynee, identified as a Nigerian company, according to the regulator.<\/p>\n TikTok have said they have removed the listings.<\/p>\n Picture: In response to the 60mg tablets, an MHRA spokesperson said: \u201cPatient safety is our top priority. <\/p>\n “In the UK, melatonin is a\u00a0prescription-only medicine, meaning you should only get it if it’s been prescribed by a doctor. <\/p>\n “Any product containing it as an ingredient is likely to be classified as a medicine. <\/p>\n \u201cThe products shared by LBC appear to be sourced from the US, where melatonin is regulated as a food supplement. <\/p>\n \u201cWe are investigating these products to determine what appropriate action can be taken.\u201d<\/p>\n In response to the lower-dose 5mg tablets, an MHRA spokesperson said: “Melatonin is an authorised medicine in the UK and is classified as prescription-only medicine (POM).<\/p>\n “The product that you have alerted the MHRA to is not an authorised medicine in UK and as such, it cannot be sold or supplied nor advertised in the UK.<\/p>\n “The photograph shows that the product is made by Daynee, a Nigerian company and is being advertised on TikTok.<\/p>\n “The MHRA is very grateful for the information you have provided, and will investigate.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Download the LBC app!<\/p>\n Picture: In response to our request, a spokesperson TikTok said they have removed the flagged listings as the products violate company guidelines.<\/p>\n In response to the 30mg tablets, a TikTok spokesperson said: “Our TikTok Shop Prohibited Products Guidelines\u00a0are clear that Sellers are prohibited from selling prescription only medication. <\/p>\n “We have removed the flagged listing which violates these guidelines.<\/p>\n “Our Community Guidelines\u00a0also state that we do not allow the depiction, promotion, or trade of controlled substances. This includes unlicensed drugs such as melatonin.<\/p>\n “To make purchases or sell items on TikTok Shop, users must be at least 18 years old. TikTok requires age verification for both creators and users to ensure a safe and responsible e-commerce environment.”<\/p>\n In response to the 5mg tablets, a TikTok spokesperson said: “Our TikTok Shop Prohibited Products Guidelines<\/a>\u00a0are clear that Sellers are prohibited from selling products that claim to have medical benefits such as Melatonin\u00a0drops and pills. We have removed the flagged listing which violates these guidelines.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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