Experts are urging consumers or friends and relatives worried for consumers of the so-called Barbie drug “Melanotan’’ to visit a GP trained in skin cancer detection to have their skins scanned for potential abnormal changes.
This follows Therapeutic Goods Administration updated advice urging consumers to steer clear of using products containing Melanotan without advice from a medical professional alongside widespread reporting of active marketing of the drug on TikTok.
President of Skin Cancer College Australasia Dr Angie Barker said the potential risk for a consumer who has purchased the product over the internet, without a prescription, could be the possible stimulation of melanoma development, although the clear risks of this were currently unknown.
“While it is not clear whether this drug can possibly stimulate development of a potentially deadly melanoma, it is more likely that use of this drug could stimulate an undiagnosed, early melanoma to become more aggressive,’’ Dr Barker said.
“Pigment cells called melanocytes within the skin could also be stimulated and cause benign moles to look abnormal, possibly resulting in more excisions.’’
Dr Barker said known side-effects from the drug include darkened skin, moles, and freckles, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, spontaneous erections, flushing of the face, involuntary stretching and yawning.
“Anyone who is experiencing these symptoms should see their health professional immediately,’’ Dr Barker.
“Users of Melanotan obtained without a prescription should visit a GP trained in skin cancer detection to establish regular skin checks as well as regularly scanning their own skin for signs of change between visits.’’
CEO of Skin Cancer College Australasia Lynette Hunt said consumers needed to stop using Melanotan completely and report websites selling the drug to Australians to the TGA.
“Ultimately, the only way to safely darken skin is a spray tan. But we would be much better off changing the view that tanned skin is attractive,’’ Ms Hunt said.
Ms Hunt said Skin Cancer College Australasia has developed an easy-to-use risk assessment tool so consumers can determine their risk of developing skin cancer for themselves and their loved ones. The tool, available at website scanyourskin.org, also helps consumers find a doctor trained and qualified to detect potentially serious skin cancers.
Source: Skin Cancer College Australasia
