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Health Sciences Authority
Press Releases

HSA Warns Against Consuming Four Illegal Sexual Enhancement Products Containing Undeclared Potent Chemical Ingredients

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4 December 2014

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The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) is alerting members of the public not to consume four illegal sexual enhancement products tested to contain potent undeclared chemical ingredients, including the prescription medicine, sildenafil, which is used in the treatment of male impotence. These illegal products may cause serious adverse effects including loss of vision and hearing, strokes and heart attacks. The four products are:

Table caption

PRODUCT

UNDECLARED CHEMICALS FOUND

'MR ZACK POWERBRO'

  • Propoxyphenyl hydroxyhomosildenafil

  • Propoxyphenyl aildenafil

  • Propoxyphenyl thiohydroxyhomosildenafil

  • Propoxyphenyl thioaidenafil

'SPARTA X'

  • Hydroxyhomosildenafil

  • Hydroxythiohomosildenafil

'MAGIC PENIS'

  • Sildenafil

UNLABELLED DARK GREEN CAPSULES

  • Propoxyphenyl sildenafil

Please refer to Annex A of the pdf for pictures of the products. 

2     The four products were detected through HSA’s ongoing surveillance efforts and were found to be sold locally. Two of these products, MR ZACK POWERBRO’ and ‘SPARTA X’, were sold through the Internet. ‘MR ZACK POWERBRO’ was touted for men’s health while the products ‘SPARTA X’ and ‘MAGIC PENIS’ claimed to maintain male stamina and improve sexual performance respectively. The unlabelled dark green capsules were packaged in blister packs without indicating the name of the product, ingredients or strength of the capsules. ‘MR ZACK POWERBRO’, ‘SPARTA X’ and ‘MAGIC PENIS’ were labelled to contain only natural herbal ingredients. However, HSA’s laboratory tests revealed that all four products contain undeclared potent chemical ingredients that can cause serious adverse reactions. 

3     HSA’s laboratory tests found the four products to contain sildenafil and various analogues (chemically-related compounds) of sildenafil, including propoxyphenyl hydroxyhomosildenafil, propoxyphenyl aildenafil, propoxyphenyl thiohydroxyhomosildenafil propoxyphenyl thioaidenafil and propoxyphenyl sildenafil. 

4     The safety profiles of the various chemical ingredients are unknown. These chemicals may be more toxic than the original compound, sildenafil. Sildenafil is a potent prescription medicine used to treat male erectile dysfunction and should only be used under medical supervision. The inappropriate use of sildenafil can potentially cause serious adverse reactions, including decreased or loss of vision and hearing, low blood pressure, strokes and heart attacks. Additionally, sildenafil is not suitable for patients with medical conditions such as some heart related problems or who are on heart medications such as nitrates. Deaths have been reported overseas in patients found to be using sildenafil while on nitrates. 

Consumer advisory 

5     Members of the public who are consuming these illegal sexual enhancement health products are strongly advised to: 

  • Stop consuming these products immediately. 

  • Seek medical attention if you feel unwell or are concerned about your health. 

  • Seek proper medical advice and treatment for medical conditions such as erectile dysfunction and do not self-medicate. 

  • Be wary of complementary health products (e.g. health supplements) making exaggerated claims such as ‘prolonging sexual stamina’ or promising miraculous cures for conditions such as erectile dysfunction. Complementary health products comprising natural ingredients are generally less potent than western medicines. Hence, any rapid effect experienced from consuming such products could mean that these products are adulterated with potent western medicines.

  • HSA strongly advises consumers not to purchase health products from online sources. Products sold online could potentially be counterfeit or adulterated.  

  • Purchase and obtain your health products from reliable and reputable sources locally. 

  • Visitwww.healthdangers.sg (opens in new tab) to learn more about the dangers of illegal health products.

6     HSA will take strong enforcement actions against individuals who engage in the sale and supply of health products containing undeclared medicinal ingredients. Anyone found to contravene the Poisons Act or Medicines Act faces a penalty of up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment for a period of up to two years.  

7     Members of the public who have any information on the sale of ‘’MR ZACK POWERBRO’, ‘SPARTA X’, ‘MAGIC PENIS’, the unlabelled green capsules or other illegal products may contact HSA's Enforcement Branch at Tel: 6866-3485 during office hours (Monday to Friday) or email: hsa_is@hsa.gov.sg (opens in new tab).  

HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY
SINGAPORE
4 DECEMBER 2014

Download PDF version here [PDF, 774 KB] (opens in new tab)