The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning users of a particular type of male enhancement supplement of potentially life-threatening health issues associated with the product. Users of Rhino male enhancement supplements have reported chest pain, severe headaches, prolonged erections, and hospitalizations due to extreme drops in blood pressure. The supplements have not been approved by the FDA.
The supplements are sold under names that are variations of the word rhino, such as Platinum Rhino 25000, Krazzy Rhino 25000 and Gold Rhino 25000, amongst others. They are sold in gas stations, convenience stores, and on websites such as Amazon.
The undeclared ingredients in these products are the same as or structurally similar to the active ingredients sildenafil and tadalafil in FDA-approved prescription drugs Viagra and Cialis. These ingredients can interact with nitrates in some prescription drugs used to treat diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease, causing life-threatening complications.
These types of products often make their way to the U.S. via international mail shipments. The agency says it has been investigating smuggled raw materials used to produce Rhino capsules since 2015. The Department of Justice is currently prosecuting a South Korean national residing in the Los Angeles area for smuggling raw materials and producing Rhino capsules for distribution throughout the nation.
Donald D. Ashley, director of the Office of Compliance in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research said in a statement, “Distributing unapproved drugs, disguised as supplements, places the U.S. public health at risk. We remain vigilant in our efforts to protect the American public from the sale of these potentially dangerous products.” Anyone who believes that they have experienced adverse health effect related to a dietary supplement should report it through the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information program.
