Detection of a tadalafil analogue as an adulterant in a dietary supplement for erectile dysfunction

ULLOA JERÓNIMO; SAMBROTTA LUIS; REDKO FLAVIA; MAZZA OSVALDO; GARRIDO GUSTAVO; BECHER EDGARDO; MUSCHIETTI LILIANA

Sao Paulo

Encuentro; 16th World Meeting on Sexual Medicine; 2014

International Society on Sexual Medicine -

Introduction Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common and widespread health problem whose worldwide prevalence in 2025 is estimated to rise to 322 million cases per year. cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase type 5 enzyme inhibitors (PDE-5i) such as tadalafil, sildenafil and vardenafil are massively used around the world with a good safety profile. However, these drugs are contraindicated in men taking nitrates and need to be administered carefully in subjects under multiple antihypertensive medications. Several cases of adulteration of dietary supplements with PDE-5i or their unapproved analogues have been reported worldwide. Mainly, the presence of the latter represents a serious health risk to consumers as their efficacy and toxic effects have not been assessed and may result in unpredictable adverse effects.