Unauthorized sexual enhancement products may pose serious health risks

Acetaminophen is a drug that can pose serious health risks, including liver damage, if too much is taken. This may lead to liver failure or, in the most severe cases, death. Early signs of taking too much acetaminophen include nausea, vomiting, lethargy, sweating, loss of appetite and pain in the upper part of the abdomen or stomach. Abdominal pain may be the first sign of liver damage and may not be apparent for 24 to 48 hours. Acetaminophen may also cause serious skin reactions. Symptoms include blistering, skin reddening and rash.

Levodopa, also known as L-dopa, is a prescription drug that is combined with other drug ingredients in anti-Parkinson's medications. It should be used only under the supervision of a health care professional. Levodopa may interact with drugs prescribed for high blood pressure, and should not be used by breastfeeding or pregnant individuals. Among other contraindications or precautions, it should not be taken by people with narrow angle glaucoma, with untreated heart, liver, blood, kidney, lung (bronchial asthma) or hormonal diseases, with a history of melanoma or suspicious skin lesions, or those recently treated with monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor drugs. Side effects requiring medical attention include: sudden onset of sleep; uncontrollable and abnormal movements of the face, eyelids, mouth, tongue, neck, arms, hands, or legs; severe or persistent nausea or vomiting; an irregular heartbeat or fluttering in the chest; hallucinations; feeling lightheaded when standing quickly; or unusual changes in mood or behaviour.

Prasterone is a controlled substance in Canada. It is approved as a prescription steroid hormone for vaginal insertion for the treatment of postmenopausal vulvovaginal atrophy, a medical condition characterized by the thinning and drying of the vaginal walls that may occur at menopause. It is illegal to sell controlled substances without proper authorization from Health Canada. Prasterone has not been approved in Canada for any other use, or in an oral (i.e., taken by mouth) format. Prasterone is transformed in the body into androgen and estrogen hormones. Androgens may increase the risk of liver damage, heart attack, stroke, reduced fertility, hardening of the arteries, the development of male characteristics in women (e.g., increased facial hair), and enlargement or tenderness of male breasts or nipples. Estrogens may increase the risk of high blood pressure, headache, breast and uterine cancer, and blood clots. People with a history of breast cancer, abnormal vaginal bleeding, or who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not use prasterone. Prasterone risks increase with the dose. The long-term health consequences of prasterone use are unknown.

Sildenafil is a prescription drug used to treat erectile dysfunction and should be used only under the supervision of a health care professional. It should not be used by individuals taking any kind of nitrate drug (e.g. nitroglycerine) as it can cause potentially life-threatening low blood pressure. Individuals with heart problems are at increased risk of cardiovascular side effects such as heart attack, stroke, chest pain, high blood pressure and abnormal heartbeat. Other possible side effects include headache, facial flushing, indigestion, dizziness, abnormal vision, and hearing loss. Desmethyl carbodenafil and dithiodesmethyl carbodenafil, and hydroxythiohomosildenafil are unauthorized substances that are similar to sildenafil and may pose similar health risks.

Tadalafil is a prescription drug used to treat erectile dysfunction and should be used only under the supervision of a health care professional. It should not be used by individuals taking any kind of nitrate drug (e.g., nitroglycerine) since it can cause potentially life-threatening low blood pressure. Individuals with heart problems are at increased risk of cardiovascular side effects such as heart attack, stroke, chest pain, high blood pressure and abnormal heartbeat. Other possible side effects include headache, facial flushing, indigestion, dizziness, abnormal vision, and hearing loss. Nortadalafil is an unauthorized substance that is similar to tadalafil and may pose similar health risks. Tadalafil taken in combination with caffeine may increase the risk of serious adverse reactions, including, but not limited to heart attack, stroke, blood pressure changes, abnormal or irregular heartbeat, headaches, and dizziness.

Yohimbine is a prescription drug and should be used only under the supervision of a health care professional. Yohimbine is derived from yohimbe, a bark extract. The use of yohimbine or yohimbe may result in serious adverse reactions particularly in people with high blood pressure, or heart, kidney or liver disease. Side effects include increased blood pressure and heart rate, anxiety, dizziness, tremors, headache, nausea and sleep disorders. It should not be used by people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, those who have liver, heart, or kidney disease (especially people with a history of stomach or intestinal ulcers), or by people with psychiatric conditions.

Previous recalls or alerts

• Unauthorized products may pose serious health risks (June 16, 2022 to February 10, 2023)
• Unauthorized products may pose serious health risks (March 26, 2021 to June 3, 2022)
• Unauthorized products may pose serious health risks (February 18, 2021 - Part 1)
• Unauthorized products may pose serious health risks (February 18, 2021 - Part 2)
• Unauthorized products may pose serious health risks (November 25, 2020)
• Unauthorized products may pose serious health risks (October 21, 2020)
• Unauthorized products may pose serious health risks (September 16, 2020: Part 1)
• Unauthorized products may pose serious health risks (September 16, 2020: Part 2)
• Unauthorized products may pose serious health risks (February 10, 2020 to March 13, 2020)
• Unauthorized products may pose serious health risks (December 9, 2019 to January, 17 2020)
• Unauthorized products may pose serious health risks (October 2, 2019 to November 19, 2019)
• Unauthorized products may pose serious health risks (August 12, 2019 to September 18, 2019)
• Unauthorized products may pose serious health risks (June 11, 2019 to July 26, 2019)
• Unauthorized products may pose serious health risks (May 17, 2019 - Part 1)
• Unauthorized products may pose serious health risks (May 17, 2019 - Part 2)
• Unauthorized products may pose serious health risks (December 10, 2018 to April 17, 2019)
• Unauthorized products may pose serious health risks (June 5, 2018 to November 7, 2018)
• Unauthorized products may pose serious health risks (November 17, 2017 to May 23, 2018)