Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2009. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
BBC News - July 21, 2009
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said pharmacies have reported requests from women for needles to inject Melanotan.
The drug is a synthetic hormone that encourages the body to produce melanin, which then darkens the skin.
Health experts have warned it could damage the immune and cardiovascular systems and trigger other problems.
The health board has also raised concerns about needle safety and the possibility of cross contamination and infection caused by injecting the hormone.
A spokeswoman said women were coming to needle exchanges located within local pharmacies in order to stock up on needles to take Melanotan.
She added: "Users could become involved in risky behaviour such as reusing or sharing injecting equipment and could potentially contract viruses including Hepatitis C, B and HIV and other associated infections.
"If people ignore the advice not to use this drug, health experts in Glasgow and Clyde are strongly advising that they inject using only sterile equipment to minimise health risks and that all used injecting equipment is safely disposed of to minimise any potential risks to the public."
Health problems
There are two types of the unlicensed product, which has been dubbed the "Barbie drug". Melanotan I darkens the skin while Melanotan II also increases sexual desire.
Use of the drugs have been linked to problems such as vomiting, high blood pressure and facial flushing.
Last year, a BBC investigation reported that experts were becoming concerned about websites and even tanning shops selling the unlicensed treatment.
A report in the British Medical Journal also warned that Melanotan may be responsible for worrying changes in skin moles.
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