MANILA -- The Philippine Dermatological Society has once again cautioned the public against the use of glutathione products as a means to lighten one's skin. 

This, amid the pervasiveness of the myriad of advertisements of "clinics" online promoting such services at an affordable price. 

In a press conference, Dr. Jasmin Jamora, president of the Philippine Dermatological Society, said that there is little to no evidence on the efficacy of glutathione as a skin whitener. 

"Hanggang ngayon kahit sa maingat na pagsusuri, walang mahanap na published studies tungkol sa efficacy ng glutathione sa skin whitening. At walang makita na malaking clinical trials tungkol dito," she said. 

(Until now, despite careful and thorough studies, the Philippine Dermatological Society cannot find published studies regarding the efficacy of glutathione on skin whitening. There remains to be no clinical trials on this.)

Jamora also underscored the difference between receiving glutathione orally and directly through the bloodstream. The former tends to have reduced concentrations upon entering the body because it will have to pass through various digestive organs. 

On the other hand, receiving drugs intravenously exposes the body to potentially large doses of chemicals if unregulated which can possibly result in side effects. 

Over the weekend, a content creator's post on video sharing app TikTok went viral after she shared the story of an infection which she alleged she contracted from a glutathione drip session. 

READ: Dermatologists warning: IV glutathione not approved by FDA

"Ang intravenous ay pwedeng magresulta sa mataas na dose at ma-overload ang mga bato. May mga report din ng kidney failure, gastritis, headache, dizziness at diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, pamamantal ng balat, pamamaga ng mata, pumuputok na ugat and even anaphylactic shock," Jamora said.

"Receiving glutathione intravenously can result in a high dose and overload our kidneys. There have been reports of kidney failure, gastritis, headaches, dizziness, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Skin rashes also happen, swelling of the eyes, raptured veins and even anaphylactic shock."

A 2011 advisory from the Food and Drug Administration strongly warns the public "to refrain from using glutathione" as a skin whitener as it is not approved by the agency. 

"The only approved indication of the intravenous format of glutathione is as an adjunctive treatment to reduce neurotoxicity associated with cisplatin chemotherapy," the advisory read.

FDA's spokesperson Attorney Pam Sevilla says violators of the advisory may face administrative sanctions and even imprisonment. 

"Merong kaparusahan na minimum of P10,000 until P100,000 or imprisonment kung talagang yung pagbebenta ng glutathione ay nagdulot ng pagkamatay or any injury na madulot niyan sa gumamit," she said. 

(The fine ranges anywhere between P10,000-100,000 or imprisonment if the selling of glutathione resulted in injuries or death by those who used them.)

Since 2019, Sevilla estimates some P20 million pesos worth of unregistered glutathione products have been seized by the FDA.

READ: Padilla apologizes to Senate offices over wife's 'IV drip issue'

READ: Light skin not a measure of health, good looks -- Binay