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Ceng Fui Yen weight gain capsules continue to be sold widely despite being banned by the Department of Drug Administration. |
A type of “rapid weight gain” medication has been banned from circulation, yet many people in the Mekong Delta region and Ho Chi Minh City still seek it out. Dangerous side effects are on the horizon: excessive sleeping, facial swelling, high blood pressure, and signs of memory loss…
Banned but still sold
In Ben Luc District, Long An Province, when inquiring about rapid weight gain medication, many locals confirmed they knew about and used it. Many families, who are naturally slender, prefer a fuller appearance, so they purchase the medication for the entire household of 4 to 5 people. Nguyen Thi Kim Y, from Tan Hiep, Ben Luc, Long An, “revealed”: “People here actively try to buy this type of medicine. I just bought it from someone else. I heard they got it from Saigon.”
Returning to Ho Chi Minh City, we visited the traditional medicine street on Hai Thuong Lan Ong, District 5. It turns out this weight gain medication is sold everywhere. Many shops offer Ceng Fui Yen weight gain capsules, imported from Malaysia, available in two packaging types: the old package for 70,000 VND/box and the new package for 75,000 VND/box.
In fact, the Ceng Fui Yen weight gain capsules, which pharmacies report to be selling the most, have been banned from circulation by the Department of Drug Administration since April 18, 2005. According to the Department of Drug Administration, this medication is produced by Welip Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Malaysia, and imported by Central Pharmaceutical Company No. 2.
The weight gain capsules were recalled nationwide due to counterfeit ingredients that did not match the import application. The Institute of Drug Testing discovered that the “weight gain capsules” contained cyproheptadine hydrochloride at a concentration of about 0.5mg/capsule and dexamethasone at 0.02mg/capsule (neither of which were included in the registered formula in the import application).
From “miracle drug” to “poison”
After using the first box of medication, Nguyen Thi Kim Y noticed a distinct change in her body. Her aunt also exhibited similar symptoms. She mentioned that besides excessive sleeping, she constantly felt hungry and ate two to three times more than before. Within a month, she gained 4 kg. Feeling “just right,” she stopped taking the medication, but nearly a month later, she started to lose weight again and had to buy another box.
Nearly a year ago, a group of retired officials from Mui Lon Hamlet, Tan An Hoi Commune, Cu Chi District filed a complaint against a pharmacy that sold them Ceng Fui Yen weight gain capsules. Mr. Nguyen Van Xiem, 63, who suffered from joint pain, was also introduced to this medication.
After taking it for more than a week, he noticed improvements in his appetite, sleep, and reduction of pain. Over the course of two months, he consumed six boxes but began showing signs of memory loss. He was taken to the Tropical Diseases Hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with drug poisoning. After more than a month of lethargy, he was transferred to a Psychiatric Hospital due to neurological disorders.
After three months of taking the weight gain capsules, Mr. Nguyen Huu Nhat also exhibited memory loss. Many others experienced facial swelling or returned to previous pain symptoms upon discontinuation of the medication.
Warning: frightening
Regarding the self-purchase of weight gain medication, Dr. Tran Huu Vinh, head of the planning department at the Institute of Ethnic Medicine, advises: “Counterfeit medications are very dangerous. These types can cause false weight gain by retaining water. Initially, users may feel more appetite and better sleep.
These medications must be prescribed by a doctor. Cyproheptadine, used for allergies, has side effects: it increases appetite and causes drowsiness. However, sudden cessation of the medication can lead to loss of appetite. Dexamethasone, belonging to the corticosteroid group, if abused, can result in Cushing’s syndrome: causing a moon-shaped, swollen face, and excessive body hair.
Additionally, the main complications from corticosteroid abuse include high blood pressure, slow wound healing, muscle atrophy, osteoporosis leading to fractures, peptic ulcers, decreased immune resistance, and menstrual disorders…
According to Dr. Vinh, the reasons for being underweight vary from person to person; therefore, to use traditional medicine effectively, one should consult specialized traditional medicine facilities and avoid indiscriminate use of medications.
YEN TRINH
