Erectile dysfunction products recalled

Medsafe has ordered the immediate recall of four erectile dysfunction products found to contain an undeclared prescription medicine that could be harmful or even fatal to some people.

It said today the adulterated products - Stallion, Volcanic, Tomcat Ali and SZM Formula for Men - were found to contain Tadalafil, the active ingredient in the prescription medicine Cialis, which is known to interfere with some heart medications.

Director general of health Stephen McKernan advised consumers to immediately stop taking the products and seek medical advice if they were taking other medicines or had felt unwell when taking any of these products.

The adulterant was added to the capsule shell and not its contents so was not detected during routine tests, a new method the "rogue players" behind these products were now adopting, Mr McKernan said.

He said the four products were being promoted and sold in New Zealand for sexual enhancement or the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

The Institute of Environmental Science and Research had confirmed that samples of these products submitted by Medsafe contained significant quantities of Tadalafil.

"This is a cautionary tale for consumers. I advise them to treat products purportedly for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and products that claim to improve male sexual performance that are offered for sale without a prescription with extreme caution, and to seek medical advice before using them," Mr McKernan said.

- NZPA