A spokesman for the department said the product was found to have contained an undeclared ingredient - piperidenafil, an analogue of vardenafil (western medicine used for treatment of erectile dysfunction).
He said the department had contacted the product's distributor who would recall the product and instructed the retailer to remove the product from shelves.
The department obtained the product during market surveillance for laboratory testing. Results of laboratory analysis showed that it contained piperidenafil, an analogue of vardenafil.
Vardenafil is a Third Schedule poison under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, i.e. it can only be sold on a doctor's prescription and under supervision by a pharmacist.
Side effects of vardenafil include low blood pressure, headache, vomiting, dizziness, and transient vision disturbances. It may interact with other medications and lower blood pressure of patients to dangerous level.
As a precautionary measure, members of the public who have the product should stop using it immediately. They should seek medical attention if they feel unwell after using the product.
They should dispose of the product or return it to the distributor, or submit it to the Pharmaceutical Service of DH at 3/F, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon during office hours.
The spokesman said people who had a problem of sexual dysfunction should consult medical professionals for appropriate advice or medication if necessary.
Reprinted from HKSAR Government web page:
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200707/17/P200707170236.htm