Health Canada has seized a shipment of counterfeit Viagra from a grocery store in Pickering, Ontario. The agency is warning customers who purchased the fake erectile dysfunction medication to stop using it immediately and dispose of the pills safely.
Confirmation of Counterfeit Product
The manufacturer of Viagra, Pfizer, confirmed that the product seized by Health Canada was indeed counterfeit. Pfizer spokesperson Amy Wroughton stated, “Pfizer takes all allegations of counterfeiting seriously and works closely with regulatory agencies around the world to prevent counterfeit products from reaching patients. We are grateful for Health Canada’s efforts to protect consumers.”
Risks of Counterfeit Health Products
Counterfeit health products are illegal and can pose significant health risks because they have not been assessed for safety, efficacy, or quality. These products may:
- Contain no active ingredient at all
- Have higher dosages than stated on the label
- Include hidden ingredients or contaminants that can be hazardous to health
Medical Supervision Required
Sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, is only approved for use under medical supervision, particularly for individuals without certain underlying conditions such as heart problems. People with heart issues are at increased risk of cardiovascular side effects if they take sildenafil without consulting their doctor first.
Potential Side Effects
The potential side effects of sildenafil include:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Chest pain (angina)
- High blood pressure
- Abnormal heartbeat (arrhythmia)
When combined with nitrates like nitroglycerin, sildenafil can cause potentially life-threatening low blood pressure.
Recommendations for Affected Customers
Customers who bought the counterfeit pills should seek medical attention if they experience any adverse reactions after taking them, such as:
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Chest pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Vision changes (including blurred vision or loss of vision in one eye)
- Sudden hearing loss
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling in hands, feet, ankles, legs, face, lips, mouth, throat, or tongue
Health Canada spokesperson Tammy Jarbeau advised that customers should also contact their healthcare provider before taking any other erectile dysfunction medications while using sildenafil, as these medications may interact with each other.
“If you have already taken this product, please do not attempt to self-medicate but instead contact your healthcare provider so you can be properly assessed,” Jarbeau emphasized.
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