A US company is recalling its chocolate products after they were found to have been contaminated with potentially dangerous ingredients used in Viagra (sildenafil) and Cialis (tadalafil). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in a statement announced that San Francisco-based Gear Isle, which specialises in “adult novelties”, sold the chocolate products online across the US.
According to the LA Times, the two products recalled are Gold Lion Aphrodisiac Chocolate and Ilum Sex Chocolate. Both marketed as dietary supplements online, the Ilum booster features black packaging with yellow and white “male sex chocolate” text, while the Gold Lion sachet comes in a purple wrapper.
“Gear Isle is voluntarily recalling the following products to the consumer level. The products have been found to contain undeclared active pharmaceutical ingredients, sildenafil and tadalafil,” the FDA said in a statement.
The company said it had not received any reports of adverse reactions from these products so far. It has directly reached to customers to coordinate returns and refunds.
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Both sildenafil and tadalafil are phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors that are widely used to treat erectile dysfunction. They slow down or stop the action of the PDE-5 enzyme, thereby increasing blood flow to the penis when aroused. However, anyone using nitrate medications for chest pain (angina) is advised not to take them as the combination can cause a dangerous and sudden drop in blood pressure.
“Use of products with undeclared active ingredients sildenafil and tadalafil may pose a threat to consumers because the active ingredient may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs (such as nitroglycerin) and may cause a significant drop in blood pressure that may be life-threatening,” the FDA stated.
“Among the adult male population who are most likely to use these products, adult males who use nitrates for cardiac conditions are most at risk from these products.”
The most common reported side effects of sildenafil and tadalafil include headaches, indigestion and nasal congestion. Tadalafil can cause additional symptoms of back pain and upper respiratory tract infections, while patients using sildenafil may experience loss of vision in very rare situations.
