Dubai: The Ministry of Health has issued a warning against herbal supplements and medicines, specifically those that claim to act as sexual stimulants, such as Golden Viagra and Strong Horses.
Dr Ameen Hussain Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for Medical Practice and Licence Sector in the UAE Ministry of Health, said: “People are under the impression that herbal medicines are safe. This is not necessarily true. They are unregulated and have known to have a list of adverse side effects. Many of them might even be fatal.”
The ministry also received warnings from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the product ‘zero xtreme’, used for erectile dysfunction. “Tests proved it might cause a sharp drop in blood pressure for heart patients who are taking nitrate drugs, which may be fatal.”
A slimming product, marketed under the name ‘akkitive capsules’ contains the banned substance sibutramine,” Al Amiri said, “which can cause major damage to its users.”
The ministry also received a warning from the Canadian Ministry of Health about SportX ephedrine, DHEA 25 and Promatrix DHEA 25.
“They contain the pharmaceutical substances DHEA and ephedrine,” Al Amiri said. “DHEA medication may cause different types of hormone-related cancers. That and the ephedrine must be used only under medical supervision.”
