Jump to content
AdamSmith

Sexual Enhancement Supplements Contain Hidden Drugs, FDA Warns

Recommended Posts

This may be useful, either as caution or as brand recommendation... :thumbsup:

Sexual Enhancement Supplements Contain Hidden Drugs, FDA Warns

The Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers today that several supplements advertised as sexual enhancements contain hidden drugs.

A supplement called “Stiff Days” contains sildenafil, the active ingredient in prescription drug Viagra, which used to treat erectile dysfunction, “Rock-It Man” contains a similar compound called hydroxythiohomosildenafil, and “Libido Sexual Enhancer” contains both of those ingredients as well tadalafil, which is the active ingredient in the prescription drug Cialis, according to the FDA.

"These undeclared ingredients may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs, such as nitroglycerin, and may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. Men with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease often take nitrates," the agency said on its website.

The products are sold online and in some retail stores.

There is a growing trend of dietary supplements — often promoted for sexual enhancement, weight loss, and body building — that contain with hidden drugs and chemicals, although they are often represented as being “all natural,” the agency said.

Consumers should be careful about purchasing such products, the FDA said, because the agency is unable to test and identify all products on the market that marketed as dietary supplements but have potentially harmful hidden ingredients.

Pass it on: Sexual enhancement supplements may contain hidden drugs.

http://news.yahoo.com/sexual-enhancement-supplements-contain-hidden-drugs-fda-warns-135531335.html

Link to comment
Share on other sites

How about never using these products . . . period? Find something organic. There are many choices.

Good to know (speaking as a former StiffNights junkie, before the FDA nixed it). What organic products would you recommend? And where to get them?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

I think I generally know what organic means from the context but there seem to be many actual definitions thereof. Isn't almost everything organic at some level or another? ^_^

Best regards,

RA1

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"Organic"! The chemist manque in me can't resist the mini-lecture thereon.

Chemically, organic compounds are, essentially (sorry! :smile: ), those based on carbon. For long, the "vitalist" hypothesis of Jöns Jakob Berzelius (blatantly copying and pasting from Wikipedia here) held that "organic" compounds could only be made by living things. This tidy idea was revealed to be nonsense in 1828 when German chemist Friedrich Wöhler (31 July 1800 – 23 September 1882) accidentally synthesized urea. Ain't science grand?

Your query "isn't everything organic" reminds me, through the freest of associations, of a question our AP bio teacher put on a test one time. Actually I forget the question; what sticks in memory is one of the four possible multiple-choice answers:

D. A non-chemical substance

Out of our class of 25 kids, one poor guy actually chose that answer. Giving us back our graded tests, teacher couldn't resist asking him, "Bob, can you actually think of anything that's a non-chemical substance?"

His priceless answer, after a bit of flailing: "... Well ... like ... rocks?!"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

I don't doubt your "lesson" but I do doubt that many in the general public rely upon a strict definition of being based upon carbon in their usage. I would exposit that an ordinary use means "natural" or not "man made" also two terms with inexact definitions at least considering context.

Regardless, I think human beings are generally considered to be carbon based and therefore organic. Therefore boiworship's actions and re-actions are perfectly organic. :smile: To say nothing of being possibly orgasmic. ^_^

Best regards,

RA1

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

Probably so. However I have found that fresh is perhaps the most important thing. Corn on the cob right out of the field by minutes in unbelievable. Ditto tomatoes and many other crops grown locally. Free range chickens and eggs + a whole lot more are much better. None of them are necessarily organic in the sense of man made chemical free.

Genetically modified seeds are a different topic but similar. I don't know that we have conclusive evidence either way yet about this. After all, we, as humans are constantly being genetically altered by UV rays and others. So are crops. However, the heavy hand of man is sometimes a bit much, to say the least.

Best regards,

RA1

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

This thread provides me with an opportunity to ask a loosely related question: Whatever happened to the EXTENZ (and ENZYTE or EXCITE or something like that) commercials that were ubiquitous on late night cable a couple of years back. They just seemed to fall off the edge of the universe.

I hated them. They played so frequently and for so long. I realized some time ago that they were just gone. I hadn't missed them for sure but I am curious if the FTC lowered the boom on them or someone sued for fraud. Anyone know?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This thread provides me with an opportunity to ask a loosely related question: Whatever happened to the EXTENZ (and ENZYTE or EXCITE or something like that) commercials that were ubiquitous on late night cable a couple of years back. They just seemed to fall off the edge of the universe.

I hated them. They played so frequently and for so long. I realized some time ago that they were just gone. I hadn't missed them for sure but I am curious if the FTC lowered the boom on them or someone sued for fraud. Anyone know?

Oddly enough ^_^ Wikipedia reports:

Enzyte is an herbal nutritional supplement originally manufactured by Berkeley Premium Nutraceuticals (now Vianda, LLC) of Cincinnati, Ohio. The manufacturer has claimed that Enzyte promotes "natural male enhancement," which is a euphemism for penile enlargement. However, its effectiveness has been called into doubt and the claims of the manufacturer have been under scrutiny from various state and federal organizations. Kenneth Goldberg, M.D., medical director of the Male Health Center at Baylor University, says, "It makes no sense medically. There's no way that increasing blood flow to the penis, as Enzyte claims to do, will actually increase its size."[1]

In March 2005, following thousands of consumer complaints to the Better Business Bureau, federal agents raided Berkeley facilities, gathering material that resulted in a 112-count criminal indictment. The company's founder and CEO, Steve Warshak, and his mother, Harriet Warshak, were found guilty of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering, and in September 2008 they were sentenced to prison and ordered to forfeit $500 million in assets.[2] The convictions and fines forced the company into bankruptcy, and in December 2008 its assets were sold for $2.75 million to investment company Pristine Bay, which continued operations.[3]

By 2009, marketing was oriented to erectile dysfunction and attracting more naive purchasers seeking permanent enlargement of the penis. Enzyte is widely advertised on U.S. television as "the once daily tablet for natural male enhancement." The commercials feature a character known as "Smilin' Bob," who always wears a smile that is implied to be caused by the enhancing effects of Enzyte; these advertisements feature double entendres. Some commercials feature an equally smiling "Mrs. Bob."[4]

Because Enzyte is a herbal product, no testing is required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. An official of the Federal Trade Commission division that monitors advertising says the lack of scientific testing is "a red flag right away. There's no science behind these claims."[5] The company has conceded that it has no scientific studies that substantiate any of its Enzyte claims.[6]

Dr. Ira Sharlip, a spokesman for the American Urological Association, has said, "There is no such thing as a penis pill that works. These are all things that are sold for profit. There's no science or substance behind them."[5]

...

Federal indictment and trial

Thousands of consumer complaints were made to the Better Business Bureau about the company's business practices, especially the "autoship" program that repeatedly charged customers' credit cards for refills even after they canceled their orders. Federal agents raided Berkeley facilities in March 2005, gathering material that led to criminal charges. On September 21, 2006, Berkeley Premium Nutraceuticals; its owner and president, Steven Warshak; and five other individuals were indicted by the United States, Southern District of Ohio, U.S. Attorney Greg Lockhart, on charges of conspiracy, money laundering, and mail, wire, and bank fraud. The indictment alleged that the company defrauded consumers and banks of US$100 million.[2][12] The United States Food and Drug Administration, Internal Revenue Service, United States Postal Inspection Service, and other agencies participated in the investigation.[13] The federal fraud trial began on January 8, 2008.[14]

In testimony during the trial, a former executive with Berkeley testified that the enhancements the company claimed were achieved by use of Enzyte were fabricated, and the company defrauded customers by continuing to charge them for additional shipments of the supplement. He further testified that company employees were instructed to make it as difficult as possible for unhappy customers to receive refunds.[15]

Conviction and sentencing

On February 22, 2008, Steven Warshak was found guilty of 93 counts of conspiracy, fraud, and money laundering. On August 27, 2008, he was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Arthur Spiegel to 25 years in prison and ordered to pay $93,000 in fines. His company, Berkeley Premium Nutraceuticals, along with other defendants, was ordered to forfeit $500 million. His 75-year-old mother, Harriet Warshak, was sentenced to two years in prison[16][17] but released on bond pending appeal after turning over her house, bank accounts, and other assets related to her crimes.[4]

Both Steven and Harriet Warshak appealed their convictions. The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in United States v. Warshak (6th Cir. Dec. 14, 2010) 631 F.3d 266, upheld Steven Warshak's convictions and all convictions against Harriet Warshak except for money laundering and vacated their sentences, remanding the sentencing to the lower court.

On September 21, 2011, Steven Warshak's sentence was reduced from 25 years to 10 years.[18] With credit for time served, he could be out in five years. His mother's sentence was reduced from two years to one day, and she never served any time in jail.[19] Factors in reducing the sentence were that the amount of total loss by customers may have been less than $400 million and that the sentences of co-defendants were only two years.

Continued company operation

The Warshaks' convictions and fines forced the company into bankruptcy. In December 2008, its assets were acquired from bankruptcy court for $2.75 million by investment company Pristine Bay, which is affiliated with Cincinnati developer Chuck Kubicki. Kubicki said he wanted to save the jobs of the company's 200 employees and retain a major tenant in one of his properties in suburban Cincinnati at Forest Park, Ohio. He said he would change the company name but would keep the brand.[3] In March 2009, Hamilton County commissioners unanimously voted to give a $195,000 property tax break to the company based on projected jobs.[20][21]

On June 26, 2009, the company name was changed to Vianda LLC. In a press release, the company announced plans to expand, hiring as many as 400 additional workers.[22] On December 14, 2009, Cincinnati Business Courier reported employment of 180, revision of sales projections of 400% growth to $120 million downward to an estimated 33% growth to $40 million, management team changes, and continued customer complaints of improper billing.[23]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enzyte

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

Adam,

Thanks for that Wiki article. I was unaware of that history. Still curious what happened to recent EXTENZ commercials with their pitchman former football coach Jimmy Johnson. Haven't seen him anywhere either. :P

I was amazed continually that people really bought into that scam. PT had it right when he said "a fool is easily separated from his money".

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

Jimmy Johnson is heard on the radio doing spots for heart disease. He mentions that he has had stent placement. Encourages everyone to seek and follow medical advice. Etc.

I expect to see him on NFL TV programs as soon as it cranks up again.

Best regards,

RA1

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest hitoallusa

Wow for a few hours?? I don't last even 10 minutes including foreplay and escorts love me for that.. :(

Fortunately a cock ring and a smooth twink is all I need to stay hard for a few hours!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



×
×
  • Create New...