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The Department of Health (DH) today (April 22) strongly urged members of the public not to consume various products from unknown and unclear sources claimed to treat male impotence, following Hospital Authority's notification of six new cases associated with products for impotence.
A spokesman for the department said that the six patients affected aged from 72 to 83 were sent to public hospitals after being found collapsed and/or confused between late March and early April. Five of them have recovered and were discharged. One of them is still in hospital in stable condition.
Sildenafil and glibenclamide metabolites were found in the urine specimen of these patients.
Two of the patients admitted taking drugs for erectile dysfunction, namely an unlabelled brown capsule purchased in Yuen Long and an unlabelled red/yellow capsule purchased in Wan Chai.
Of the six patients, a 79-year-old man has sought treatment in hospital after taking similar product in late March.
The notification brings the number of persons affected by such category of products to a total of 48. Among them, two patients passed away and two are still in hospital in stable condition.
Glibenclamide could cause nausea and gastro-intestinal upset. Improper use may cause a significant fall in blood sugar level with serious health consequence 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 DH 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.
"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 destroy and 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 enquiry, 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.
Ends/Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Issued at HKT 20:10
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