Sex enhancement drug withdrawn from UAE

Dubai: The Municipality has withdrawn a US-manufactured sexual enhancement drug and has urged people who have purchased it to return it to the retailer as it can lower blood pressure to dangerous levels.

The supplement product is sold under the brand name Viapro in 375mg capsules. People are also urged to contact Dubai Municipality if they have bought it.

This follows a warning issued by the US Foods and Drugs Authority (FDA) and a voluntary recall of the product by its manufacturer EG Labs LLC.

Diabetes

Redha Salman, Director of the Health and Public Safety Department at the Municipality, said the product was found to contain a potentially harmful ingredient thio-methisosildenafil, which may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs (such as nitroglycerin) and can lower blood pressure to dangerous levels.

People with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or heart disease often take such nitrates. An FDA press release notified consumers who had this product to discontinue using it and consult their doctor if they experience any problems that may be related to taking Viapro.

Salman added a special team had been formed by the department to look for this particular drug in the local market and remove it from the shelves.

While the team were looking for this product, another product with the name of Viafem, a herbal supplement that enhances female sexual arousal, which was not approved by the UAE Ministry of Health, was found.

This product has now also been withdrawn from the market. He urged consumers to make sure all drugs and supplement products they use are approved by the Ministry of Health.