The Dangers of “Male Enhancement” Gum

Chew on this: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has been warning men that products claiming to be “male enhancement gum” can be incredibly dangerous—even deadly.

Why is the gum potentially dangerous?

One particular item called “Wonder-Erect Male Gum” was sold online to unsuspecting men who were likely unaware of its potentially hazardous ingredient: vardenafil.

While vardenafil, the active ingredient in erectile dysfunction drug Levitra, is FDA approved, it can be dangerous in certain conditions. The Wonder-Erect Male Gum labeling did not indicate that the product contained vardenafil, so men weren’t aware they were consuming it.

Potential side effects

When combined with nitrates, which some men take to treat conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease or high blood pressure, vardenafil can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure.

How large is the problem of mislabeled products?

With the growth of the Internet, selling unregulated and unsafe products is easier than ever, providing marketers with an unlimited reach.

Often marketed as dietary supplements, the plethora of over-the-counter products containing hidden ingredients is a growing problem in all areas. In recent years, these products have even been linked to deaths.

In once unfortunate case, a 21-year-old college student died after consuming diet pills she purchased online. The pills were believed to contain dinitrophenol (DNP), a highly toxic and very dangerous substance. According to officials from Britain’s Food Standards Agency, DNP is “an industrial chemical and not fit for human consumption. It can be extremely dangerous to human health.”

It’s easy to see why buying sexual enhancement products online is so alluring: privacy. Talking about erectile dysfunction can be uncomfortable for men and skipping an in-person doctor visit to ask for a prescription by simply ordering a non-prescription item is tempting. But experts warn that doing so can come with great risk to your health.