A coffee brand is being recalled over concerns it contains an ingredient similar to the active ingredient used in Viagra, which is popularly prescribed for erectile dysfunction. It also contains an undeclared ingredient that may pose potentially deadly risk for some individuals.
Desmethyl Carbodenafil In Coffee
Bestherbs Coffee LLC has recalled all lots of New of Kopi Jantan Tradisional Natural Herbs Coffee after analysis made by an FDA laboratory confirmed it contains desmethyl carbodenafil, which is structurally similar to sildenafil, the active ingredient present in Viagra.
The coffee, which is packaged in 13 grams red pack, is used as a male enhancement product. The presence of an ingredient similar to that used in Viagra appears as a welcome element for the over-the-counter coffee that men buy as an enhancement drink but the presence of desmethyl carbodenafil poses risks.
Dangers Of Desmethyl Carbodenafil And Viagra's Sildenafil
Desmethyl carbodenafil may interact with nitrates in some prescription drugs and may reduce blood pressure to dangerous levels. Men with high cholesterol, blood pressure, and diabetes face a higher risk for the potentially unwanted side effects because they often take nitrates. Health experts have long warned about the dangerous risks of mixing Viagra and medications that contain nitrates such as nitroglycerin.
"Do not take VIAGRA (sildenafil citrate) if you take any medicines called nitrates, often prescribed for chest pain, or guanylate cyclase stimulators like Adempas (riociguat) for pulmonary hypertension," the Viagra website cautioned. "Your blood pressure could drop to an unsafe level."
Coffee Also Contains Undeclared Milk
Federal health regulators also said that the coffee contains undeclared milk as well. People who are allergic to milk may also suffer from potentially deadly allergic reaction should they consume the product.
Affected products were distributed nationwide between July 2014 and June 2016. It was also sold on the internet.
Consumers Urged To Discard Purchased Coffee Or Return The Products For Refund
No illness linked to consumption of the coffee has been reported to date but the company is contacting customers by phone. Individuals who bought the products are urged to discard them and contact their doctor.
"Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax," the FDA said in its press release.
Consumers can also opt to return the coffee products they purchased to Bestherbs Coffee LLC to get a refund.
