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FDA Finds Yet More ED Agents Unsafe
'Blue Steel,' 'Hero' Join Long List of Hazardous 'Supplements' for Men
Sildenafil is the active ingredient in prescription drugs for ED. The similar compound found in Blue Steel and Hero may interact with nitrate-containing prescription medications, such as nitroglycerin, commonly prescribed to control symptoms associated with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or heart disease. ED is common in men with these medical conditions, the release said.
"Because they may have been advised against taking ED drugs, these men may seek products like Blue Steel or Hero because the products are marketed as 'all natural' or as not containing the active ingredients in approved ED drugs," the FDA statement warned.
Previously, the FDA has warned of the dangers of 25 other unsafe products marketed as treatments for ED or sexual enhancement and available for sale online. The FDA now provides a clearinghouse of information on these dangerous ED products. Each of these products contains either undeclared ingredients; prescription drug ingredients, including sildenafil or vardenafil (the active ingredient in Levitra); or analogs of the active ingredients in these two prescription drugs.
In addition to asking patients to avoid these ED products, physicians are encouraged to report adverse events to MedWatch by calling (800) FDA-1088 or via the MedWatch Web site.
The number of such problematic products available online is increasing, according to the FDA. The popularity of and potential dangers posed by these products underscore the importance of talking with patients about any complementary or alternative therapies they use.
To that end, free materials are available for doctors and consumers through the "Time to Talk" campaign sponsored by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, or NCCAM. Among other resources, this NCCAM initiative provides toolkits designed to help prompt discussion on the use of alternative medicines.
'Shangai' Products Are Case in Point
NCCAM Materials Can Help You Discuss CAM With Patients
(1/25/2008)
Additional Resource
FDA Consumer Update: "Buying Fake ED Products Online"
NCCAM "Time to Talk"
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