Seven popular supplements used for sexual enhancement have been placed under scrutiny by the TGA for all the wrong reasons. Here’s what you need to know.
If a little under-the-cover fun is on the cards, most people have a few tricks they like to pull out to set the mood.
Some will gorge themselves on well-known aphrodisiacs such as oysters and chocolate, gulp down a glass or two of liquid courage, or at the very least make use of their bedroom dimmer switch.
Others take things one step further, exploring the potentially powerful effect of herbal supplements and oral medications designed to increase and sustain arousal and sexual performance.
And while most might argue these pills and concoctions are mostly harmless, safety alerts issued by the Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA) this week beg to differ.
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The supplements in question
Seven supplements have been slapped with serious safety warnings after an investigation by the TGA, Australia’s pharmaceutical watchdog. They were found to contain substances designed to enhance erectile function, information that was not openly marketed to consumers.
Popular online products such as Tantra Jelly, Bullblood tablets and Throb herbal supplements were found to carry traces of sildenafil and tadalafil, more commonly known as Viagra and Cialis respectively.
The substances found are prescription-only, often associated with a host of side effects and potentially serious interactions with other medications, sparking particular concern from the TGA and health professionals across the industry.
The TGA reported the supplement products and their manufacturers and suppliers are involved in an ongoing investigation.
Included in their official safety alerts, is a warning urging consumers to ‘exercise extreme caution when purchasing medicines from unknown overseas websites’, explaining that products manufactured outside of Australia may not be subject to the same standards of quality and safety regulations as others approved by the TGA.
The TGA’s advice
Upon discovering the undisclosed ingredients in several popular online products, the TGA is strongly urging Australians who have already purchased the supplements in question to immediately stop using them. For safe disposal of any existing products, it is recommended people take the products to their local pharmacy.
“Ongoing enforcement activities conducted by the TGA have resulted in the seizure of products containing scheduled substances from brick-and-mortar retail outlets,” the organisation shares, further explaining the extent of their crackdown on these products.
As a general measure, the TGA has also reminded Australian consumers of the importance of research and diligence when it comes to purchasing any pharmaceutical products, urging people to always check if a medicine or supplement is listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods.
“Manufacturers of products on the ARTG, whether overseas or onshore, hold the required manufacturing licences and/or certifications to manufacture therapeutic goods to an acceptable Australian standard,” says a spokesperson from the TGA.
“Products not on the ARTG may contain undisclosed and potentially harmful ingredients,” they add. “[Such products] may not meet the same standards of quality, safety, and efficacy as those approved by us for supply in Australia”.
The danger of self-medicating and self-diagnosing
While it’s easy to assume supplements and medications bought over-the-counter or without restriction online are mostly harmless, the TGA’s recent discovery only proves how easy it is for products containing undisclosed (and potentially dangerous) ingredients to circulate Australia.
For this reason, the TGA is discouraging customers from self-diagnosing any symptoms or conditions and self-medicating with products bought online– especially with products designed to target erectile dysfunction and sexual performance.
“ED products that claim to be herbal, natural or energy supplements are not necessarily safe,” the pharmaceutical watchdog says. “The TGA warns consumers that ED products sold online, especially from sellers that do not request a valid doctor’s prescription, may be counterfeit. These products may contain undeclared (hidden) substances that could cause a serious adverse reaction.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing adverse symptoms associated with the use of the seven supplements under investigation, contact your GP or a specialist immediately.