The Food and Drug Administration has issued a recall for certain sexual enhancement supplements. The FDA is recalling the products because they’ve been found to contain certain drugs not disclosed on the product labeling. Both products, including Black Ant and Vicerex, are advertised by their manufacturer as supplements designed to enhance sexual performance and libido. The FDA is asking consumers to return these products to the store where they originally purchased them, or to American Lifestyle, the manufacturer.
The recall may have far-reaching effects, as sexual enhancement supplements are becoming increasingly popular throughout the country. Millions of men across the U.S. use these types of supplements in an attempt to curb erectile dysfunction or increase libido.
Prescription Drugs Hidden in Certain Sexual Supplements
The FDA has recalled Vicerex because it contains tadalafil, better known as Cialis. Similarly, Blank Ant has been recalled because it contains sildenafil, better known as Viagra. Viagra and Cialis have both been approved by the FDA to treat the symptoms of erectile dysfunction.
Although Vicerex and Blank Ant may indeed be effective as sexual enhancement supplements, they cannot be sold in their current state because sildenafil and tadalafil are prescription drugs only available with a script from a health care provider. Vicerex and Blant Ant, on the other hand, are available over-the-counter without a prescription of any sort.
Possible Dangers of Drug Interactions
People who take Black Ant or Vicerex are actually taking prescription drugs without realizing it. The danger lies in the fact that sildenafil and tadalafil can interact with other drugs that contain nitrates, resulting in dangerously low blood pressure levels and other alarming effects. If you take prescription drugs for conditions such as heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes, there’s a good chance that those drugs contain nitrates.
In March of this year, the FDA issued a similar warning for sexual enhancement supplements including Libido Sexual Enhancer, Rock-It Man and Stiff Days, all of which contain either sildenafil, tadalafil or some variation of one of these drugs, despite not mentioning it on the label.
The FDA and Supplement Regulation
The FDA regulates prescription drugs before they’re brought to market. However, they only regulate supplements after they’re on the market. As a result, supplements vary in both their safety and efficacy, and supplement manufacturers sometimes include ingredients without saying so on the label. Just last week, Fitness Health 101 discussed the fact that some dietary supplements contain over 300 mg of caffeine, despite not specifying the amount on the label. This is as much caffeine as is found in three cups of coffee.
For these reasons, you should practice caution when purchasing any supplement, especially if it’s one designed for weight loss, bodybuilding or sexual performance. Typically, multivitamins and supplements that only contain one specific vitamin or nutrient are safer.
The Bottom Line
The FDA has issued a recall announcement for two sexual enhancement supplements, Black Ant and Vicerex, because they contain prescription drugs. The press release detailing the recall can be found at the website of the FDA.
