FDA Issues Warning After 'Hidden' Viagra Found In Honey Product

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is alerting consumers about a honey product that has a "hidden drug ingredient." It turns out that the product contains sildenafil, which is the active ingredient in Viagra.

The agency found that Wonderful Honey, a product promoted for sexual enhancement, contains sildenafil. A laboratory test confirmed its presence.

While Viagra is FDA-approved for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, it is "restricted to use under the supervision of a licensed health care professional." This is because sildenafil can actually interact with nitrates in other prescription drugs such as the ones used by those with high cholesterol, diabetes or high blood pressure. The interaction may then lower an individual's blood pressure "to dangerous levels," the FDA noted in a news release.

The agency has urged the public to not use or purchase Wonderful Honey. A photo of its packaging is available on the FDA website. Those who experienced adverse effects after using the product should report it to the agency's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program. The notification is a part of the agency's efforts to inform the public about products that are sold as "conventional food" or dietary supplements but have hidden ingredients. In 2017, the FDA released a warning against another honey product, Royal Honey VIP, as it was found to contain undeclared tadalafil, which is the active ingredient in Cialis.

Most of the products with hidden ingredients are the ones marketed for sexual enhancement, bodybuilding or weight loss, the agency noted.

"FDA has identified an emerging trend where over-the-counter products, frequently represented as dietary supplements, contain hidden active ingredients that could be harmful," it said. "Consumers may unknowingly take products laced with varying quantities of approved prescription drug ingredients, controlled substances, and untested and unstudied pharmaceutically active ingredients. These deceptive products can harm you!"

The agency said it cannot identify or test every single product in the market. Hence, consumers should be careful before buying certain products. The FDA has a tainted products database that may help consumers identify such potentially dangerous products.