Products falsely marketed as “dietary supplements” or “foods” that promise to enhance a man’s sexual performance could be dangerous, government health officials warn.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning today saying that such nonprescription products, which are sold online, in retail stores, and even in vending machines, could be potentially dangerous.
According to the FDA, these products could contain the active ingredients found in prescription drugs that are FDA-approved for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED), such as Viagra, Cialis and Levitra, but in combinations with excessively high doses and undisclosed ingredients, both potentially dangerous situations, the FDA said.
Another problem is that consumers may be misled to believe these products are safe because their labeling often suggests they are “all-natural” or “herbal” alternatives to FDA-approved prescription drugs for the treatment of ED, said Gary Coody, R.Ph., FDA’s national health fraud coordinator.
“We’ve seen pills, coffees, chewing gum and dissolvable oral strips that contain hidden drug ingredients or untested chemicals. Consumers have no way of knowing which drugs or ingredients are actually in the product just by reading the ingredients on the label,” Coody said.
The FDA warns consumers to beware of products that:
• Promise quick results (within 30 to 40 minutes)
• Are advertised as alternatives to FDA-approved prescription drugs
• Are sold in single servings
• Advertise via spam or unsolicited emails
• Have labels written primarily in a foreign language
• Have directions and warnings that mimic FDA-approved products