Yesterday on Health Check with Samuel Adeyemi
Doctors Warn Parents About 'Heightmaxxing,' a Viral Trend of Teen Boys Taking a Cancer Drug to Grow Taller
Teens are misusing erdafitinib, a powerful cancer medicine, in hopes of adding inches.
Filed November 10, 2026 · 📍 Washington, DC 20001
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Key points
- Teen boys are misusing the cancer drug erdafitinib to try to grow taller
- Doctors warn the trend carries severe health risks
- Parents should talk with kids and their pediatrician
Parents, this one is worth a conversation at the dinner table.
A viral online trend called "heightmaxxing" has teenage boys taking erdafitinib, a cancer drug, in an attempt to grow taller, and doctors are warning of severe health risks [1].
Erdafitinib is a prescription medicine approved to treat certain cancers. Medical experts told Fox News the risks of misusing it are serious [2].
Health Check's advice: watch for pills or packages you do not recognize, ask your son what he is seeing online about height, and remind him that no social-media trend is worth risking his health. If you are worried about your child's growth, talk to your pediatrician.
Sources
Teens are taking a cancer drug to grow taller. Should parents be more involved in what kids see online?
- Yes, much more
- Somewhat more
- Schools should teach it
- Kids need to learn on their own
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