Health News
Two men dead and 48 sick after taking impotence drug in Hong Kong
Apr 23, 2008, 4:12 GMT
Hong Kong - Two Hong Kong men have died and 48 have fallen sick after taking unregistered drugs claiming to cure impotence over the last six months, health officials revealed Wednesday.
The men, aged between 44 and 86, all became ill with low blood sugar after taking pills said to treat erectile dysfunction function between December 2007 and March this year.
All sought help from hospital where two died. Another two men still remain in hospital.
A Department of Health spokesperson said some of the men admitted to taking pills claiming to treat erectile dysfunction which they had bought from the mainland border city of Shenzhen, and in Yuen Long and Wan Chai in Hong Kong.
Laboratory tests on the drug showed the presence of unregistered ingredients including a medication called glibenclamide which is used for lowering blood sugar in diabetics.
Side-effects of the drug include nausea and gastro-intestinal upsets and a fall in blood sugar levels which can be life threatening.
The pills were also found to include sildenafil, the main active ingredient in Viagra.
Health officials are now warning the public not to take the drugs or any impotence medication without medical consultation.
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