The Department of Health (DH) today (January 9) urged members of the public not to buy or use a proprietary Chinese medicine called Boy Joy, which was found to contain potentially hazardous ingredients that may cause side effects.
A spokesman for the department said the distributor concered had been instructed to recall the product from the market and to surrender it to the department.
He said the department had received no reports of adverse drug reactions linked to the product so far.
Three samples of the product from the importer were obtained by the department earlier for analysis. The results of laboratory analysis showed that the product contained two drug ingredients, namely, sildenafil and hydroxyhomosildenafil.
Silfenafil is a Western drug ingredient used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Its side effects include low blood pressure and transient vision disturbances. Products containing the ingredient are Third Schedule poisons under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance. It should only be sold on a doctor’s prescription and under the supervision of a pharmacist.
Hydroxyhomosildenafil is an analogue of sildenafil and its safe use has not been properly evaluated worldwide. Because of its structural analogy with sidenafil, similar actions and side effects are expected. This product poses a potential threat to consumers’ health as it may interact with some drugs, such as nitroglycerin, and may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels.
As a precautionary measure, people who have the product should stop using it immediately. They should seek medical attention if they feel unwell after using the product. People who are in possession of the product should dispose of it or return it to the distributor.