Warning over injectable tans after a spike in use in Glasgow
The number of people across Glasgow using injectable tans has spiked since 2014/15 - that’s despite the product being illegal and unlicenced in the UK.
The Glasgow Drug Crisis Centre says they’ve saw a 42% increase in the number of people asking for syringes from their needle exchange to use the black market product Melanotan - it's gone from 152 to 263 in 2015/16.
The health risks of injecting Melanotan include vomiting, high blood pressure, sight issues and kidney problems.
But the long term effects of the synthetic product aren't known because there haven't been enough studies.
Despite being widely available on on-line platforms it is illegal to ship or sell. It is not illegal to buy.
A spokesman for the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency said: ‘Melanotan cannot be sold or supplied legally in the UK.
‘This potentially dangerous tanning agent is injected and works by increasing the levels of the pigment melanin in the skin. Melanin is part of the body’s natural response to the sun and increasing levels of melanin result in skin darkening or tanning. It is not authorised for use in the UK and therefore has not undergone the stringent safety testing required for licensed medicines.
‘It has been found on sale online illegally and under the counter at gyms and beauty salons.
‘MHRA has received a number of reports of adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme from people who have used Melanotan. Problems listed range from eye problems to heart palpitations and kidney infection.
‘MHRA encourages people to report the use and supply of Melanotan through our Yellow Card Scheme.
‘Melanotan is not a licensed medicine and therefore its quality and safety has not been tested; no information is held on where or how it was made nor what it contains.
‘The fact that it is injected also raises serious questions about the sterility of the needle.
‘Why would you inject yourself with something when you don’t know what it is? This may be a quick fix but is certainly not a safe option and may have serious long-term consequences.
‘Our advice to those who have used Melanotan injections is to stop using them immediately and if you have suffered side effects, report them to us through our Yellow Card Scheme.'