Teenagers Risk Severe Side Effects to Use Cancer Drug for Height
Teenagers are increasingly using erdafitinib, a cancer drug, to attempt to increase their height, a practice known as 'heightmaxxing.' Despite severe side effects and lack of medical approval, some teens report significant growth. Experts warn that the drug targets receptors in every cell, with unknown long-term effects, and that growth plates close after puberty, making such interventions dangerous and likely ineffective for most.
Key points
- Erdafitinib, sold as Balversa, is approved for bladder cancer but is being used off-label by teens to grow taller.
- The drug blocks fibroblast growth factor receptors, which can accelerate bone growth while growth plates are still open.
- Side effects include joint pain, nosebleeds, nail loss, and stomach bleeds, as reported by users.
- Teens source the drug from overseas vendors or black markets, often without medical supervision.
- Doctors warn that the drug is not approved for height increase and its safety in children is unknown.
Background
This trend follows a broader rise in DIY healthcare and biohacking among young people, where social media platforms promote unregulated substances for appearance and health optimization. Previous coverage has highlighted how patients seek unapproved or delayed drugs from other countries, such as Chinese therapies, due to regulatory gaps, though this specific case involves a known cancer drug being misused for cosmetic purposes.
Why it matters
The use of potent cancer drugs for cosmetic height increases highlights the extreme lengths some young people will go to meet societal beauty standards, risking serious health consequences. It also underscores the dangers of unregulated drug sourcing and the influence of social media in normalizing risky medical behaviors among minors.
What to watch
Regulators and pharmaceutical companies are likely to increase monitoring of online sales and social media content promoting erdafitinib for non-medical use. Medical professionals may face more inquiries from parents and teens seeking off-label growth treatments, leading to stricter guidelines or public health campaigns.
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