Slimming pills from internet may harm mental health: poisons centre
Poisons centre warns women that buying drugs on the internet could be dangerous
Women who set out to shed a few kilos discreetly by using slimming drugs bought on the internet may be getting more than they bargain for, with some found to have lost their minds instead.
Dodgy pills sold online contained toxic and banned chemicals that could cause hallucinations or palpitations, the Poison Information Centre warned.
At least 58 women were treated for psychiatric or heart problems after taking slimming pills, Department of Health records from the past four years showed.
Half of them had bought the pills on the internet.
Some developed mental conditions that required in-patient treatment at a psychiatric hospital and even lifelong medical care.
"We are seeing more such cases because it is more common to make purchases online," centre director Dr Lau Fei-lung said.
"Many girls do not want to consult a doctor or let anybody know they are trying to lose weight. So they turn to the internet for a quick and easy fix. This is very dangerous."