FDA Advises Against Man Up Now

WASHINGTONFDA issued a warning advising consumers to avoid Man Up Now capsules, a dietary supplement marketed for sexual enhancement, because the agency says they contain a variation of an active drug ingredient found in Viagra that can dangerously lower blood pressure. To date, the FDA is not aware of any adverse events associated with the use of the product.

FDA said consumers who have Man Up Now capsules should stop using them immediately. The agecy analyzed Man Up Now and determined that it contains sulfoaildenafil, a chemical similar to sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra. Like sildenafil, this chemical may interact with prescription drugs such as nitrates, including nitroglycerin, and cause dangerously low blood pressure. When blood pressure drops suddenly, the brain is deprived of an adequate blood supply that can lead to dizziness or lightheadedness.

Man Up Now, distributed by Synergy Distribution LLC, is sold on Internet sites, online marketplaces, and possibly in retail outlets in single, double, and triple blister packs, and in six-, 12-, and 30-count capsule bottles.

FDA has found many products marketed as dietary supplements for sexual enhancement during the past several years that can be harmful because they contain active ingredients in FDA-approved drugs or variations of these ingredients. Sexual enhancement products promising rapid effects such as working in minutes to hours, or long-lasting effects such as 24 hours to 72 hours, are likely to contain ingredients in FDA-approved drugs or variations of those ingredients.

FDA advises consumers who have experienced any negative side effects from sexual enhancement products to consult a health care professional and to safely discard the product. Consumers and health care professionals should report adverse events to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax. Consumers can download the form or call (800) 332-1088 to request a reporting form, and then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form or submit by fax to (800) FDA-0178.