New Delhi, Nov. 7 -- Teenagers are reportedly turning to a prescription cancer drug in the hope of gaining a few extra inches, as a social media trend called 'heightmaxxing' fuels anxiety around physical appearance and height.

The trend is part of the wider 'maxxing' culture, in which young people share methods they believe can help them achieve an ideal version of themselves. One prominent offshoot is 'looksmaxxing', where young men exchange tips on improving their facial features, physique and overall appearance.

According to a report by Rolling Stone, some teenagers have started taking erdafitinib, a drug used to treat certain cancers, believing it could help them grow taller. Online, they refer to the medicine as 'erda' and share up...