The Department of Health (DH) today (March 13) called on members of the public to take note of a recent press statement issued by Health Canada concerning an impotence treatment product labeled as "ADAM" which can cause serious adverse drug reaction.
According to Health Canada, the product contained sildenafil, a western drug ingredient for treating impotence. The side effects of sildenafil include low blood pressure, headache, vomiting, dizziness, and transient vision disturbances. It may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs (such as nitroglycerin) and may lower blood pressure of patients to dangerous levels. Improper use of sildenafil may pose serious health risks, especially for patients with heart problems.
Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance of Hong Kong, products containing sildenafil must be registered before sale and can only be sold on a doctor's prescription and under supervision of a pharmacist. In Hong Kong, "ADAM" is not a registered pharmaceutical product.
The spokesman advised members of the public who are in possession of the product or any other similar unregistered products for sexual dysfunction not to take them.
"People who have sexual dysfunction problems are advised to consult healthcare professionals for appropriate advice or medication if necessary," he said.
"According to the Hospital Authority's investigation into cases in which patients were admitted to hospital for low sugar blood levels, 'sildenafil' and sugar-lowering drug 'glibenclamide' were found in the urine samples of 28 patients aged between 39 and 86. Of them, 15 of them said they had taken similar products."
Investigation by DH and Police is still ongoing.
The spokesman urged members of the trade who possessed similar products to stop trading them immediately.
He further urged all retailers not to buy drugs from unknown sources for sale, as the efficacy, safety and quality of such could not be assured.
He said the DH would continue to step up inspections on similar products throughout the territory.
People who possess the product are advised to dispose of or submit it to DH's Pharmaceutical Service at 3/F, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon during office hours.
Reprinted from HKSAR Government web page:
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200803/13/P200803130266.htm