‘Herbal’ Viagra may pose dangers

Herbal medicines have been used for centuries to treat various types of illnesses such as those related to the immune system, gynecological conditions, digestive disorders, allergies and respiratory problems. They are sold as natural remedies for such common health problems.

Since the introduction of Viagra (sildenafil citrate), the first medicine to treat erectile dysfunction (ED), to the market, a number of herbal medicines and other natural alternatives have been advertised as sexual enhancers that work the way Viagra does.

These herbal medicines boldly call themselves "herbal Viagra" but the truth is, none of them has been shown to work in real scientific studies. These herbal preparations that are commonly advertised on the Internet and through spam e-mail are not as natural as their manufacturers claim and could even pose health risks.

A study found that these so-called herbal Viagra are contaminated with compounds of medicines for ED. Out of the seven herbal preparations examined by researchers at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, Canada, two of them were found to contain PDE5 inhibitors.

"Since PDE5 inhibitors, including sildenafil, are not natural, deliberate contamination of these products must be considered," researchers said. "Consumers and regulatory agencies must be aware of these findings as these agents must only be taken upon consultation with a doctor to avoid adverse reactions with prevalently consumed drugs such as nitrates." Nitrates are contained in certain medicines for heart disease.

The most common ingredients of these herbal Viagra preparations were yohimbe, ginseng and gingko biloba. These herbs, as shown by previous studies, are known to have side effects such as skin reaction and heart problems.

As of 2004, an Internet search of "herbal Viagra" yielded about 172,000 websites available for viewing.

Patients are encouraged to buy medicines only from licensed outlets. Buying from unlicensed outlets and informal sources not only endangers their health but will also be a waste of resources.

This health information is from Pfizer, a global, research-based healthcare company that discovers, develops, manufactures and markets effective and innovative medicines for humans and animals, and many of the best-known consumer products.

In 2004, Pfizer, the world’s largest private biomedical research organization, invested more than $7.5 billion to find cures to help preserve, protect and promote the quality of life of people all over the world.