engleski

Food supplements adulterated with erectile dysfunction drugs – pharmacological and toxicological health risk

The use of herbal remedies and dietary supplements has greatly increased worldwide. A survey based on the EU rapid alert system for food and feed (RASFF) showed adulterations of plant food supplements (PFSs) with a complex range of foreign substances. Among the most frequently noticed were sildenafil and its analogues, classified as phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5Is). Sildenafil with vardenafil, tadalafil, avanafil, udenafil, mirodenafil, and lodenafil are the bestknown compounds intended for medical treatments of erectile dysfunction (ED). Although all PDE5Is drugs are similar in their mechanism of action, their pharmacokinetics differ. Even though the addition of PDE5Is or theirs analogues are forbidden in foods and dietary supplements, they are widely available on the (illegal) market. This includes online stores and sales of various undeclared adulterants in PFSs. Because of falsely declared formulation in PFSs, they are often advertised as being “natural”. Hence, many consumers perceive these products as being “healthier” and safer in comparison to conventional pharmaceuticals. PFSs adulterated with analogues pose a pharmacological and toxicological health risk as unapproved analogues are mostly of unknown pharmacokinetics and safety profile, thus putting consumers’ lives at risk from different drug-drug and herbal-drug interactions with unpredicted adverse effects. Therefore, to protect public health it is necessary to enforce legal measures supported by adequate analytical methods and monitoring of the market. Additionally, it is critical to inform the public of possible health risks. This requires the involvement of the government, law enforcement, media, medical and pharmaceutical professions, and others.

dietary supplements ; herbal remedies ; phosphodiesterase type5 inhibitors ; public health risk ; sildenafil

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