The medication provided to these children was meant to be omeprazole, a treatment for acid reflux and stomach ulcers. However, the National Ministry of Health disclosed that minoxidil was mistakenly present in this specific batch of medicine. Consequently, the affected children developed abnormal hair growth all over their bodies upon consumption. Interestingly, when they ceased using the drug, the excessive hair growth also ceased.
A photo accompanying the article features Lalit Patidar, a 13-year-old boy from India living with “werewolf” syndrome. Some parents, upon noticing unusual hair growth on their children’s faces, sought medical advice, prompting local authorities to promptly take notice of the emergence of this peculiar medical phenomenon within numerous families.
In response to the situation, Spain’s pharmaceutical and health agency issued a recall for the initial batch of potentially contaminated minoxidil from the market. This action followed reports of 13 cases of “werewolf disease,” with an additional three cases discovered in the subsequent month. Authorities expressed concerns that drugs tainted with minoxidil might have impacted around 30 pharmacies and more than 50 batches of pharmaceuticals.
Investigations revealed that the pharmaceutical company Farma-Química Sur had procured the contaminated omeprazole from India and distributed it within the Spanish market. Currently, the company faces a suspension of its license, prohibiting it from producing, importing, or distributing drugs.
Hypertrichosis, alternatively recognized as Ambras syndrome or “werewolf disease,” is an uncommon genetic condition causing abnormal growth of beard, hair, and body hair. This syndrome’s rarity is highlighted by its occurrence in only 1 out of 1,000,000 people. While patients do not experience physical pain, they often grapple with social discrimination due to their distinctive appearance.
Presently, medical experts have not identified a comprehensive cure for this condition. The primary means of aiding patients in better integrating into society involve regular shaving or waxing to manage their excess hair growth.
