Dangerous low blood sugar linked to sex drugs

Illegal anti-impotence drugs and herbs contaminated with the diabetes drug glyburide have caused some 150 cases of dangerously low blood sugar, researchers in Singapore reported on Wednesday.

Four people have died, they said in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The drugs include counterfeit Cialis and herbal preparations with names such as “Power 1 Walnut” and “Santi Bovine Penis Erecting Capsule,” Shih Ling Kao of National University Hospital said.

The packaging listed fictitious overseas factories as the manufacturer, “so it is not known whether there was deliberate or accidental contamination,” they wrote.

All but one of the 150 victims were men, ranging in age from 19 to 97.

“We believe that physicians should be cognizant of this phenomenon when evaluating patients with severe unexplained hypoglycemia, particularly if a clustering of cases is noted,” Kao’s team wrote.

BOSTON (Reuters)

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Impotence (erectile dysfunction) is far more prevalent than statistics show. The majority of sufferers chosing not to address their problem through embarrassment. The social stigma that men perceive is sufficient to stop many coming forward. Most men will have experienced unsatisfactory performance during sex. If more came forward there would be better understanding of the problem, which is generally a lack of good blood flow to the genital area. There are many products which now claim to help assist or cure. To date the only non chemical solution that is supported by any clinical trials is a little known herb- Butea Superba which has improved erectile function in over 80% of users.

posted by stevedouglas on 02/16/2009 at 9:44 am -08:00