By Robert Mutasi 
The Ministry of Health has cautioned Kenyans against misusing cetirizine, an allergy medication that has recently attracted attention on social media following claims that it can suppress sexual desire.
Principal Secretary for Medical Services Ouma Oluga issued the warning on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, expressing concern over online discussions encouraging people to experiment with medicines for purposes other than their approved medical uses.
Speaking during a High-Level Health Products and Technologies Stakeholder Meeting in Nairobi, Oluga said misleading social media conversations could influence members of the public to misuse pharmaceutical products.
“I saw people discussing this medicine in a manner that is like a joke, but this also influences some sections of the public to misuse products and medicine,” Oluga said.
The controversy emerged after a viral online trend reportedly saw some women turn to cetirizine in an attempt to suppress sexual desire, including through inappropriate use of the medication in their intimate areas.
The Ministry warned that medicines should only be used for their intended medical purposes and in accordance with professional guidance.
Oluga revealed that the government could explore mechanisms to strengthen the monitoring of people purchasing medicines that raise concerns over potential misuse.
He said authorities could develop a system to trace individuals who purchase cetirizine and establish how the medicine moves through the supply chain.
“What we can assure Kenyans is that we can develop a system that can trace everyone, for instance, who has gone to buy cetirizine,” the Principal Secretary said.
He also called for closer monitoring of pharmaceutical products, including identifying manufacturers, distributors, sellers and patients receiving particular medicines.
According to Oluga, such information could help health authorities and community health promoters identify potential cases of misuse and conduct appropriate follow-ups.
The proposed approach would also strengthen accountability across the pharmaceutical supply chain and support efforts to prevent medicines from being used inappropriately.
Cetirizine is an antihistamine commonly prescribed to relieve allergy-related symptoms, including sneezing, a runny nose, itchy eyes and hives.
The medicine works by blocking histamine, a chemical released by the body during allergic reactions.
Although cetirizine is generally used to manage allergic conditions, it can cause side effects such as drowsiness, headaches, dizziness and dry mouth.
Health guidance does not recommend inserting oral cetirizine tablets into the reproductive system. Such misuse could expose users to irritation and other unintended effects.
There is also no established medical basis for using cetirizine to achieve the intimate or reproductive effects being promoted in viral social media discussions.
The Pharmacy and Poisons Board has also emphasised the importance of monitoring medicines even after they have received regulatory approval.
The regulator said it continues to monitor pharmaceutical products through pharmacovigilance, a system used to identify, assess and respond to suspected adverse effects associated with medicines.
The Board encouraged Kenyans experiencing suspected side effects after taking medication to report them through its pharmacovigilance reporting system.
The latest warning highlights growing concerns over the influence of viral social media trends on public health decisions, particularly when online claims encourage people to experiment with medicines without consulting qualified healthcare professionals.
The Ministry of Health has urged Kenyans to seek professional medical advice before using medicines and avoid relying on unverified online information when making decisions about their health.
Baraka Simba 
Eldoret Leo