Dubai bans men's pills

A supplement designed to enhance male sexual performance is withdrawn from sale because it could be harmful.

DUBAI // A supplement designed to enhance male sexual performance has been withdrawn from the market after it emerged that the drug could react with other chemicals and dangerously lower a user's blood pressure. Redha Salman, director of health and public safety at Dubai Municipality, said Viapro had been found to contain a potentially harmful and undeclared ingredient, thio-methisosildenafil, which could interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs.

The municipality acted to remove Viapro capsules from pharmacy shelves after a warning issued by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which had resulted in a voluntary recall of the product in July by its American manufacturer, EG Labs. The FDA said thio-methisosildenafil was an "analog" of sildenafil, which is the active chemical ingredient of Viagra. People taking Viapro would not be aware that it contained this ingredient and consumers with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or heart disease often took medicines containing nitrates.

In a statement issued after the FDA analysis of its product, EG Labs said: "Customers who have this product in their possession should stop using it immediately and contact their physician if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking this product." While a team from the health and safety department was searching shelves for the product, a herbal supplement called Viafem was found. This product, designed to enhance female sexual arousal, has not been approved by the UAE Ministry of Health and has also been withdrawn from circulation.

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