A spokesman for the department noted that a sample of the product was obtained from a retail shop during strengthened market surveillance recently.
Laboratory tests on the product today showed the presence of aminotadalafil, an analogue of tadalafil which is usually used for treating male sexual dysfunction.
The department has instructed the distributor to recall the products. Retailers were also told to remove them from shelves.
The side effects of tadalafil include low blood pressure, headache, vomiting, dizziness, and transient vision disturbances. They may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs (such as nitroglycerin) and may lower blood pressure of patients to dangerous levels.
Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, products containing tadalafil must be registered before sale and can only be sold on a doctor's prescription and under the supervision of a pharmacist.
The spokesman said the chemical structure of aminotadalafil is similar to tadalafil. As reported by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, tadalafil analogues may have the same side effects as tadalafil and pose a similar threat to consumers.
Members of the public who have bought the product are advised not to take it. They are urged to seek advice from their doctors if feeling unwell after consuming the product.
They should destroy and dispose of the products or submit them to the department's Pharmaceutical Service at 3/F, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon, during office hours.
Reprinted from HKSAR Government web page:
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200806/16/P200806160242.htm