The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to use Man Up Now capsules, marketed as a dietary supplement for sexual enhancement, because they contain a variation of an active drug ingredient found in Viagra that can dangerously lower blood pressure.
Man Up Now claims to be “herbal” and “all natural,” and consumers may mistakenly assume the product is harmless and poses no health risk.
Consumers who have Man Up Now capsules should stop using them immediately. The FDA analyzed Man Up Now and determined that it contains sulfoaildenafil, a chemical similar to sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra.
Like sildenafil, this chemical may interact with prescription drugs such as nitrates, including nitroglycerin, and cause dangerously low blood pressure. When blood pressure drops suddenly, the brain is deprived of an adequate blood supply that can lead to dizziness or lightheadedness.
Man Up Now, distributed by Synergy Distribution LLC, is sold on Internet sites, online marketplaces, and possibly in retail outlets in single, double, and triple blister packs, and in six-, 12-, and 30-count capsule bottles.
To date, the FDA is not aware of any adverse events associated with the use of the product. However, sexual enhancement products that claim to work as well as prescription products, but that contain prescription strength drugs, are likely to expose unknowing consumers to unpredictable risks and the potential for injury or death.
Vigor-25 Warning Issued Earlier
In November, the FDA said that Vigor-25, a product marketed as a natural dietary supplement to enhance male sexual performance, should not be purchased or used because it contains sildenafil, the active ingredient in the prescription drug Viagra.
Sildenafil may interact with prescription drugs known as nitrates, including nitroglycerin, and can dangerously lower blood pressure.
The FDA is investigating the reported death of a 26-year old man, possibly associated with the use of Vigor-25.
Vigor-25, distributed by Piston Corp., is sold on Internet sites and possibly in some retail outlets.
“This product is dangerous to consumers because it claims to contain only natural ingredients when it actually contains a prescription drug ingredient,” said Deborah M. Autor, director of the Office of Compliance in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “Tainted products place consumers at risk of injury and death, especially those consumers with underlying health conditions.”
The FDA has found many products marketed as dietary supplements for sexual enhancement during the past several years that can be harmful because they contain active ingredients in FDA-approved drugs or variations of these ingredients. Sexual enhancement products promising rapid effects such as working in minutes to hours, or long-lasting effects such as 24 hours to 72 hours, are likely to contain ingredients in FDA-approved drugs or variations of those ingredients.
Source: FDA (11/19/2010, 12/15/2010)
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