As allegations emerged that YouTuber Ipjjalbeun Haetnim took and passed along diet pills obtained through illegal channels, a practicing pharmacist issued a strong warning about the drug's fatal side effects and risk of addiction.
On the 2nd, on the YouTube channel "Some Pharmacist," pharmacist Park Ji-in said the drug Ipjjalbeun Haetnim was known to have taken is a phentermine-based "butterfly pill," and said that upon seeing that combination, it was immediately recognized as a dangerous mix that had previously led to a death and a subsequent police investigation.
Park said a customer who had been receiving two sets a week at the time eventually died, and recalled meeting police who came to review medical records, urging people never to take it. According to Park, the "butterfly pill" is classified as a psychotropic drug and is so tightly controlled in distribution that it is stored separately in a safe.
Park said, "The butterfly pill acts on the central nervous system to increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels. When a lot is released, the sympathetic nervous system is activated, leading to an aroused and excited state. You feel extremely elated and lose your appetite," adding, "Tolerance develops quickly, so the period of use is clearly defined. The recommendation is within four weeks, and in special cases, use is limited to within three months."
Park also emphasized, "The butterfly pill has a slightly different structural formula, but it is essentially in the amphetamine family. You can think of it as a drug similar to methamphetamine," and said, "It can lead to depression or other psychiatric disorders."
In particular, Park pointed out that the practice of mixing antidepressants, tranquilizers and sedatives at the same time to offset the drug's rapid loss of effect and severe side effects is fatal to the brain. When conflicting signals enter the brain simultaneously, the brain fails to adapt and falls into extreme confusion, and these unpredictable actions significantly increase the likelihood of developing depression or serious psychiatric disorders.
Park also warned that the lethargy and rapid yo-yo effect that come when stopping the drug become "the start of addiction," making people reach for the pills again. Park emphasized that once the drug is stopped, appetite can surge and mood can sink, making it easy to fall into a vicious cycle of seeking the drug again, and stressed that weight should be reduced safely and properly, even if slowly.
Meanwhile, Ipjjalbeun Haetnim was a regular customer who received diet injections from "auntie with the shots" and is under accusation as of the 19th for allegedly acting as a delivery link passing them to Park Narae, on charges including violating the Narcotics Control Act. On the same day, Ipjjalbeun Haetnim apologized, saying, "I thought she was a doctor and I did not act with sufficient caution," and announced a suspension of activities.