Wherever there are prescription drugs that make money, there will be imitations.
While some of these “alternative options” may be written off as little more than financial losses and harmless placebos, others can be dangerous—and even deadly.
Why “herbal” doesn’t always mean safe
Such is the case with herbal pills being marketed as cures for erectile dysfunction (ED).
While most people assume that anything labeled “herbal” or “natural” is safe, that’s not always the case.
The FDA found 300 herbal products containing hidden prescription drugs, such as Viagra and Cialis.
Regulators were shocked to find that one product had 31 times the standard dose of tadalafil (the active ingredient in Cialis).
For people with high blood pressure or diabetes, this can be extremely dangerous. Fake ED “cures” have led to stroke, livery injury, kidney failure and death.
Other fake drugs coming from China were found to contain flour and gypsum drywall powder.
How do you know what’s safe
The FDA has warned the general public that reading labels doesn’t always tell the real story about which drugs or ingredients are in so-called “herbal ED pills.”
Men looking to treat erectile dysfunction should talk to their doctor and ask if a prescription for Viagra or Cialis is right for them.
On its website for Viagra, manufacturer Pfizer warns consumers about the dangers of buying counterfeit pills for impotence. A few of their warnings:
- Viagra is one of the most counterfeited drugs in the world.
- Almost 80% of sites surveyed claiming to sell Viagra were selling counterfeits.
- The FDA has never approved a “generic Viagra,” so if you see it for sale, don’t buy it!
What should you look for when buying Viagra online
- Make sure the website requires a valid prescription.
- Look for a U.S. phone number and address.
- Viagra only comes in 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg tablets.
- Look for VIPPS® accreditation (Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites) on the website to ensure you’re getting your prescription from a reliable and secure site.
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