Don't consume sexual enhancement pills, warns UAE health ministry

Abu Dhabi - These pills, widely available online, contain compounds that are harmful to men suffering from heart and kidney disruptions.

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoH) issued warnings about the risks and severe side effects linked to sexual enhancement supplements, which are widely, yet illegally available via online purchasing.

The ministry named a variety of dangerous supplements, which are not registered with the MoH, and could affect men with heart conditions and high blood pressure.

The virility supplements include Macho Man 3000, Triple X 2000, Premium Zen Gold, Own the Knight 1750, and Love Zen 3000.

Although a warning has been issued about the dangers of using the supplements, many appear to be available for online purchase on websites around the world, including eBay.

Macho Man 3000 is sold for as little as $7, Triple X 3000 is available for $12.99, Premium Zen Gold for $167, Own the Knight for $28, and Love Zen 3000 for around $40.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that more than 90 per cent of supplements sold online are fake.

Millions of the supplements, which are often tainted with dangerous chemicals, are often not tested on animals, nor humans, and little data has been produced to support their safety.

Last July, the MoH issued a warning against unauthorised supplements, and said that it is in daily contact with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and other international health authorities, for the alert on any new cases of harmful substances.

"The warning is meant to protect the people from trade fraud for the safety of their health," said Dr Hussain Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary at the Ministry, who is also Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Pharmaceutical Vigilance.

The MoH also listed a whopping 392 counterfeit virility supplements in 2015.

UAE doctors weigh-in their concerns

Dr Georgie Thomas, Specialist - Cardiologist, Burjeel Hospital, said, the major concern is the wide varieties of "shady pills" available online.

"People don't talk much about how they are getting hold of these drugs, but you will find a lot of so-called 'herbal' supplements online."

He pointed out that sexual dysfunction is 80 per cent psychological and 20 per cent physical.

"The majority of men buying these pills don't have any organic sexual dysfunction, they have a psychological dysfunction."

He stressed that the pills available online often contain medical compounds, (sildenafil, vardenafil, tadalafil), which are harmful to men suffering from heart and kidney disruptions.

"Men taking these pills may suddenly collapse."

Dr Thomas noted that although the pills are not available in the UAE, unless prescribed by doctors, people are still getting their hands on them online.

"The dangerous ingredients are not listed, because traders just want to make business - at the cost of consumers' health."

Dr Nadir Dawood, Specialist Physician and Diabetologist, Universal Hospital, said men in the UAE must be aware about the dangers lurking in these supplements.

"Men with coronary heart disease, high blood pressure and are on medication, are at major risk."

He noted that many of the supplements are impure and contain dangerous ingredients, which could worsen those already affected with medical conditions.

Men with severe liver impairment or kidney disease and require dialysis, are also at high risk.

FDA issues several warnings

Last month, the FDA also issued a public warning to consumers using Triple X 2000, which is widely available for purchase online.

"FDA laboratory analysis confirmed that Triple X 2000 contained tadalafil and dapoxetine. Tadalafil, the active ingredient in the FDA-approved prescription drug Cialis, is used to treat erectile dysfunction."

The FDA said that the undeclared ingredient may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs, such as nitroglycerin, and could potentially lower blood pressure to dangerous levels.

"Men with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease, often take nitrates."

Dapoxetine is an active ingredient not approved by the FDA, and thus its safety has not been established.

The FDA also said that products marketed as dietary supplements, often have hidden ingredients.

The products, which often promote sexual performance, body building and weight loss are often marketed as "all natural," which lures consumers into believing they are safe.

jasmine@khaleejtimes.com