At least twelve children in Spain have been diagnosed with “werewolf syndrome” after an error in labeling mixup with medicine. Drugs used to treat alopecia and hair loss were sold as heartburn medicine for children, according to local media reports from El País and Granada Hoy.
The outbreak of hypertrichosis, commonly known as “werewolf syndrome,” was confirmed by the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices after parents reported 17 cases in three regions in Spain. The disease causes excessive hair growth, which some say can make those affected resemble a werewolf.
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Every single one of the affected children had been treated for heartburn with over-the-counter omeprazole, which is sold in the United States as Prilosec.
An investigation by the agency discovered that Spanish drug manufacturer Farma-Química Sur was to blame for the labeling mix up. Because of the mislabeling, children accidentally ingesting minoxidil, which is the active ingredient in Rogaine.
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Children who were repeatedly given the incorrectly-labeled drug developed hypertrichosis, which caused hair to grow rapidly on babies’ forehead, cheeks, arms and legs.
According to El País, Farma-Química Sur is currently prohibited from manufacturing any medication until this incident has been resolved and all affected omeprazole has been recalled.
“Werewolf syndrome,” also known as hypertrichosis, is the excess production of hair, either in one specific area or all over the body.
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It is not clear how one gets hypertrichosis, but a form of it can be passed down genetically, according to Healthline.
In February, a video of a boy with hypertrichosis in India went viral after his ailment was showcased on Barcroft TV. They also reported on a girl in Bangladesh in 2016 with the same condition.
Drug mislabeling happens more often than you might think. We reported to you that the drug that killed the singer Prince was mislabeled, and he probably had no idea he was taking the drug that killed him.
