The Department of Health (DH) today (April 3) urged people not to consume various products from unknown and unclear sources that claimed to treat male impotence, following the Hospital Authority's notification of five new cases associated with products for impotence.
A spokesman for the department said the five patients aged from 52 to 79 were sent to public hospitals after being found collapsed and/or confused in late March. All have recovered and have been discharged.
Sildenafil and glibenclamide metabolites were found in the urine specimen of these patients.
Three of them admitted taking drugs for erectile dysfunction, namely an unlabelled red/yellow capsule and an unlabelled blue rhomboid tablet purchased from the Mainland, as well as a brown rhomboid tablet named "Jiu Bian Wang" bought in a park in Yuen Long.
The notification brings the number of people affected by the category of products to 42. Two patients are still in hospital in stable condition.
Glibenclamide can cause nausea and gastro-intestinal upset. Improper use may cause a significant fall in blood sugar level with serious health consequences and even death
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 or glibenclamide must be registered before sale and can only be sold on a doctor's prescription and under supervision of a pharmacist.
The Department of Health again appealed to the public not to consume virility products of unknown or unclear sources, because the efficacy, safety and quality of such could not be assured, the spokesman said.
"Leaflets on drug use in particular the use of virility and slimming products are available for outbound travellers at immigration checkpoints," he said. "The department will continue to work closely with the police to trace the sources of such products."
"Members of the public and the trade who have in their possession similar products are urged to stop consuming or trading them immediately," he said.
They should dispose of the products or submit them to the department's Pharmaceutical Service at 3/F, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon during office hours. If they have any enquiries, there is a hotline No. 2572 2068 which operates during office hours.
"People who have problems of sexual dysfunction should consult medical professionals for appropriate advice or medication," the spokesman said.
Reprinted from HKSAR Government web page:
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200804/03/P200804030193.htm