Brazilian Health Agency Warns of Risks Linked to Erectile Dysfunction Medications
São Paulo, Brazil – Brazil’s National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) has issued a public health alert regarding the serious risks associated with the improper use of medications for erectile dysfunction, specifically highlighting dangers related to Tadalafil, Sildenafil, Vardenafil, Udenafil, and lodenafil. The agency emphasizes that these substances pose meaningful clinical and psychological threats when used outside of approved medical guidance, combined with other drugs-including those for hypertension-or consumed in unauthorized formulations.
The warning comes amid growing concern over unregulated products marketed for sexual enhancement, including a recent ban on a gummy candy containing Tadalafil that gained popularity thru social media influence.Anvisa stresses that these medications require a prescription and should not be available in option formats like gums or supplements. Uncontrolled use can lead to severe health consequences, impacting a broad range of individuals seeking remedies for erectile dysfunction.
Anvisa’s alert details a range of potential side effects stemming from the misuse of these drugs. These include severe cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction, sudden cardiac death, stroke, chest pain, palpitations, and tachycardia. Other risks encompass hypotension (dangerously low blood pressure), hypertension (dangerously high blood pressure) and fainting, prolonged and painful erections lasting over four hours, and sudden vision or hearing loss, potentially accompanied by tinnitus and dizziness.
Individuals experiencing adverse effects from these medications are urged to promptly consult a physician and report the incident through Anvisa’s VigiMed system (https://www.gov.br/anvisa/pt-br/assuntos/fiscalizacao-e-monitoramento/notificacoes/vigimed/). The agency’s action underscores its commitment to safeguarding public health by monitoring and regulating the pharmaceutical market and responding to emerging risks.
