Consumer Life

Story Tools: PRINT | Text Size: S M L XL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACK

Unauthorized erectile dysfunction drug poses health risk

Thursday, March 20, 2008 | 02:43 PM ET

An erectile dysfunction treatment sold as Libidus contains an undeclared drug and may pose serious health risks, Health Canada warned Thursday.

The unauthorized drug, which is manufactured by Yurtland Natural Health and distributed by NorthRegentRx of Winnipeg, was found to contain the undeclared prescription drug sildenafil, the generic name for the drug Viagra.

Health Canada said sildenafil should only be used under the supervision of a health-care professional and could pose a risk to patients with pre-existing medical conditions, those taking heart medications or those at risk for strokes.

Use of the drug could cause serious cardiovascular side-effects such as heart attack, stroke, low blood pressure, chest pain, and cardiac death in patients with heart disease. Patients taking any type of nitrate drug, such as nitroglycerin, should not take sildenafil due to the risk of developing potentially life-threatening low blood pressure.

Other possible side-effects include vision loss, seizure, decrease or loss of hearing, headache, dizziness and abdominal pain.

Libidus may be available at retail outlets and over the internet, Health Canada said. Consumers should return the product to the place of purchase.

Health Canada said in a release that it is "taking steps to confirm that the product has been removed from the Canadian market." The manufacturer has been ordered to recall the product.

The health agency also issued a warning for the product in 2006, when it was found to contain the prescription drug vardenafil, the generic name for the erectile dysfunction drug Levitra.

It also warns consumers not to use any unauthorized products promoted for the treatment of erectile dysfunction that are advertised as "all natural," as such products may contain undeclared prescription ingredients that may pose serious health risks.

Drugs and natural health products that are authorized for sale in Canada have an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), a Natural Product Number (NPN) or a Drug Identification Number for Homeopathic Medicine (DIN-HM) on the label.

Recall notice

« Previous Topic | Main | Next Topic »

Story Tools: PRINT | Text Size: S M L XL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACK

World »

Pope's butler arrested in Vatican leaks scandal video
The Vatican has confirmed that the Pope's butler was arrested earlier in the week in connection with an embarrassing document leaks scandal.
Syrian children massacred by the dozens, UN says video
More than 90 people have been killed by regime forces in a district of central Syria, with the head of the UN team in the country confirming at least 32 children and 60 adults were killed in an artillery attack.
Egypt's polarizing presidential candidates reach out
A spokesman for the third-place finisher in Egypt's presidential race has called for a partial vote recount, citing violations.
more »

Canada »

Teen struck by lightning in Ottawa dies
The victim of a Friday lightning strike during a storm in east Ottawa has died, CBC News has learned.
Missing Winnipeg children found in Mexico
Two Winnipeg children reported missing and possibly in Mexico have been found alive, according to unofficial reports from an agency that works to find missing people.
updated Montreal protesters march in peaceful defiance video
The clanging of pots and pans sounded throughout Montreal's downtown core Saturday night and into early Sunday morning, as thousands of protesters marched on in peaceful — but loud — defiance of Bill 78.
more »

Politics »

N.L. premier 'at odds' with Peter MacKay audio
Kathy Dunderdale, the premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, tells CBC Radio's Evan Solomon she's growing increasingly 'at odds' with Conservative MP Peter MacKay.
Quebec students ready for tuition hike, says one leader audio
The president of Quebec's College Student Federation (FECQ), Leo Bureau-Blouin, tells CBC Radio's The House that students "are ready for a compromise on the amount of a tuition hike," as the Quebec government and the province's student associations prepare to resume talks.
Dunderdale calls lack of EI consultation 'disturbing' video
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Kathy Dunderdale says the federal government's planned overhaul of the employment insurance regime shows it is out of touch with unemployed Canadians.
more »

Health »

Chronic fatigue may be reversed with exercise
Taking it easy is not the best treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome, rather exercise and behaviour therapy are, a large study finds.
AT&T buys T-Mobile USA for $39B US
AT&T Inc. said Sunday it will buy T-Mobile USA from Deutsche Telekom AG in a cash-and-stock deal valued at $39 billion US, becoming the largest cellphone company in the U.S.
Milky Way home to 50 billion planets: NASA
Scientists have compiled the first cosmic census of planets in our galaxy: at least 50 billion planets are estimated to call the Milky Way home.
more »

Arts & Entertainment»

video Gay characters' screen presence evolves video
New films and TV shows are addressing a new frontier in pop culture: gay characters whose narratives aren't limited to 'coming-out stories,' Deana Sumanac reports.
new Sweden defeats Russian grannies in Eurovision song contest video
Sweden's Loreen clinches the top spot at this year's Eurovision Song Contest with her dance hit Euphoria, pushing aside competition from a sextet of Russian grannies and a Serbian balladeer.
audio Seniors float above Montreal's Quartier Latin
In Montreal this weekend, an unusual performance series will have seniors indulging in their favourite hobbies, but perched on chairs suspended five metres above the ground.
more »

Technology & Science »

Astronauts enter world's 1st private supply ship video
Astronauts have entered the Dragon, the world's first commercial supply ship, which is docked at the International Space Station.
South Africa, Australia to share world's largest telescope
South Africa and Australia will jointly host the Square Kilometre Array, which promises to be the world's largest telescope, the international consortium in charge of the project said Friday.
Bonavista, N.L., 'coyote' was really wolf, tests confirm
Wolves have not been seen in Newfoundland since around 1930 and were believed to have been hunted to extinction on the island, but genetic tests have confirmed that an 82-pound animal shot on the Bonavista Peninsula in March was, in fact, a wolf.
more »

Money »

analysis What a Greek euro exit could mean for Canada
A tumultuous Greek exit from the eurozone would have a harder impact on Canada's economy than the credit crisis recession of 2008 and 2009, a report from a major Canadian bank warns.
Bankia asks Spain for €19B video
The board of directors of Spain's troubled bank, Bankia, has asked the Spanish government for €19 billion ($24.5 billion Cdn) in financial support.
EI reforms aim to boost employment, Flaherty says
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty defended his government's proposals to change employment insurance, saying the aim is to remove "disincentives to employment."
more »

Consumer Life »

Honda recalls Fit subcompacts
Honda Canada says it will recall 14,640 of its 2009 and 2010 Fit subcompact cars to replace lost motion springs.
U.S. travel fee proposal criticized by Harper
Prime Minister Stephen Harper says he doesn't think much of a new border tax that's being proposed by the United States, calling it a cash grab designed to help a budget crisis.
Bell class action suit approved by Que. court
A Quebec Superior Court judge has authorized a class action lawsuit to go ahead against Bell Mobility.
more »

Sports »

Scores: NHL NBA

5 stories, including Josh Hamilton kayoes Blue Jays
A day after getting hammered by the Rangers, the Blue Jays stretched their opponents to 13 innings before Josh Hamilton crushed a Jason Frasor offering for an 8-7 win. That, plus more, in your top five stories from Saturday.
Stardom greeting Canadian cyclist Ryder Hesjedal video
After the sport of cycling worked hard to clean itself up, Canada's Ryder Hesjdal has emerged as one of its top riders, writes CBCSports.ca's Malcolm Kelly.
Stanley Cup final: The most intriguing people
Here are a dozen intriguing individuals to get to know as the Los Angeles Kings and New Jersey Devils prepare to meet in the championship series opener in Newark on Wednesday.
more »

Diversions »

[an error occurred while processing this directive]
more »