Male enhancement supplements are among the most frequently counterfeited and adulterated products in the supplement market. That doesn’t mean every product is dangerous, but it does mean you need to be more careful here than when buying, say, a multivitamin.
The hidden-drug problem
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has found hundreds of products sold as “all-natural” sexual enhancement supplements that secretly contain prescription erectile dysfunction drugs, such as sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra) or tadalafil (Cialis), or chemically similar compounds that have never been tested in people.
Why does this matter?
- Men who take nitrate medication for chest pain can suffer a dangerous drop in blood pressure if they unknowingly take these drugs
- Doses are uncontrolled and sometimes far higher than prescribed amounts
- Untested “analog” drugs have unknown side effects
The FDA keeps a public database of tainted products, and it is worth checking before you buy an unfamiliar brand.
Red flags
Be suspicious of any product that:
- Promises results within minutes or hours. Herbal supplements don’t work like prescription drugs. Fast, dramatic effects are a sign of a hidden drug.
- Is sold as single pills at gas stations, convenience stores or on the street
- Claims to be “stronger than Viagra” or a “natural alternative” with guaranteed results
- Promises permanent size increases. No supplement has been shown to do this.
- Has labels in poor English, no company address, or no lot number
- Is sold only through anonymous marketplace listings at prices far below the brand’s own site
Considering a supplement for sexual performance?
VigRX Plus: The best-documented formula we compared (maker-funded placebo trial).
Visit the official VigRX Plus site Read our review
Alternative: ProSolution Pills. A daily herbal alternative aimed at overall performance.
Supplements aren’t a substitute for medical care. We may earn a commission from purchases through these links.
Safer ways to buy
- Choose established brands with a real company behind them, a customer service line and a published guarantee.
- Buy from the official website or authorized retailers. This also ensures any money-back guarantee applies.
- Read the full label. Every ingredient should be listed, ideally with amounts.
- Tell your doctor or pharmacist what you’re taking, especially if you take heart or blood pressure medication.
- Stop immediately if you get chest pain, dizziness, vision changes or an erection lasting more than four hours, and seek medical care.
Set realistic expectations
Genuine herbal formulas are designed to be taken daily for weeks. Their effects, when present, are gradual and modest. If you want predictable results, prescription treatments prescribed by a doctor are more effective and are tested for safety.
See which established products we compared, and what we found, in our male enhancement supplement comparison.
Are male enhancement pills safe?
Established brands bought from official sources are generally low risk for healthy men, but the category has many adulterated products. Check the FDA’s tainted products list and avoid anything promising instant results.
Why would a supplement contain Viagra?
Some sellers add prescription drugs so their product “works” fast, which drives sales. It is illegal and can be dangerous.
Can I take male enhancement pills with heart medication?
Talk to your doctor first. This is especially important if you take nitrates.