The Therapeutic Goods Administration has warned that a drug that claims to treat erectile dysfunction actually poses a serious health risk and should not be ingested.
Ziyinzhuangyang tablets were tested by the federal government agency and found to contain the undeclared substance sildenafil.
Sildenafil is a prescription-only medicine that can cause serious side effects when taken alone or in combination with other medication.
It can interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs and potentially lower blood pressure to dangerous levels.
Nitrates are often prescribed to people with diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure or heart disease.
“The supply of Ziyinzhuangyang tablets containing undisclosed sildenafil is illegal,” the TGA warned.
The tablets tested by the product watchdog were purchased online from an overseas website, which means they have not been assessed by the TGA for quality, safety and efficacy as required by Australian law.
“We advise consumers to exercise extreme caution when purchasing medicines from unknown overseas websites,” the TGA cautioned in its safety alert.
“For your safety, always buy medicines from reputable sources and consult your healthcare provider or local registered pharmacy if you have any concerns.”
Anyone who has purchased the tablets should stop ingesting them and take the remaining supply to a pharmacy for safe disposal.
The TGA is working with the Australian Border Force to prevent further shipments of Ziyinzhuangyang tablets from arriving in Australia.
