FDA says RockHard Weekend may be a dangerous getaway

People who purchased RockHard Weekend, which was marketed as a sexual enhancement supplement, may have gotten much more than they bargained for. The Food and Drug Administration announced a nationwide recall of the herbal supplement because it contains an undeclared compound (sulfoaildenafil) that is similar to the erectile dysfunction drug sildenafil (Viagra), which actually makes RockHard Weekend an unapproved drug. This drug ingredient could pose a threat to unsuspecting consumers because it can lead to dangerously low blood pressure.

The Viagra-like compound, which is not listed as an ingredient in RockHard Weekend, might interact with nitrates that are found in some prescription drugs, such as nitroglycerin. This could result in a risky drop in blood pressure.

If you have experienced any side effects from use of the supplement, consult your doctor. You can also help the FDA monitor the situation by reporting your adverse events to the agency.

FDA recalls Pai You Guo weight loss supplement

People who bought the weight loss supplement, Pai You Guo, may have gotten some extra ingredients for free, including a prescription drug and a dangerous chemical. The Food and Drug Administration said all lots of the supplement had been recalled because it contained the weight loss drug, sibutramine (Meridia), and phenolphthalein, a chemical that may cause cancer.

Both of these agents could play havoc with your health. Sibutramine may be relatively safe when used under a doctor’s supervision, but it carries some risky side effects that could prove dangerous to unsuspecting consumers. Sibutramine can increase your pulse and blood pressure and could be particularly risky for people with a history of coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, or stroke.

Sexual enhancement product Stiff Nights poses risks

Stiff Nights, a product sold as a dietary supplement for sexual enhancement, contains sulfoaildenafil, a chemical similar to sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, according to a Food and Drug Administration warning today. Sulfoaildenafil poses a threat to consumers because it may interact with prescription drugs known as nitrates, including nitroglycerin, that are used by people with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or heart disease. The chemical may also cause dangerously low blood pressure.

Stiff Nights is distributed on online and at retail stores by Impulsaria LLC of Grand Rapids, Michigan and is sold in bottles containing 6, 12, or 30 red capsules or in blister packs containing one or two capsules.

Take a look at the FDA’s list of sexual enhancement products to avoid, and if you’ve experienced adverse events from using any of the products, consult a health care professional and report it to the FDA's MedWatch program.

Q&A: Are megadoses of B vitamins dangerous?

I take a multivitamin containing 1,000 to 3,000 percent of the daily value of vitamins B12, B6, thiamin, and riboflavin. Are such doses dangerous? —A.R., Riverside, Calif.

Probably not, but for healthy people there’s little or no evidence that megadoses of those B vitamins are useful, either. Only B6 has been linked to a possible side effect, nerve damage. And that was at higher doses—7,000 percent of the daily value (DV), taken long-term—than you’re taking. Megadoses of B12 appear to be safe, since studies of pernicious-anemia treatment with injections of more than 40,000 percent of the DV haven’t reported any side effects. Thiamin and riboflavin also appear harmless because the body absorbs only a fraction of the huge doses; the rest is excreted in the urine.

Medical magnets: Placebo-inspired pain relief?

Medical magnets have undeniable powers of attraction, particularly among people seeking alternative ways to ease their arthritis pain. And, indeed, many people say their symptoms improve when they wear these magnets, usually on their wrists. However, according to a new study, such improvements may have more to do with the placebo effect than any true pain-relieving properties. The same holds true for copper bracelets as well, say the researchers.

The study included 45 people age 50 or older who had been diagnosed with osteoarthritis, the most common type of joint problem. During the 16-week study, people wore each of the following devices in random order for four-week stretches: a commercially available magnetic wrist strap; an identical strap with a weaker magnet; a de-magnetized strap; and a copper bracelet. At the start of the study and after each treatment phase, the participants completed questionnaires that measured their pain, stiffness, and how easily they could do everyday tasks.

The study found no difference among the four devices in any of these factors. There was also no difference in how much medication people used while wearing each of the devices.

Q&A: Absorbable calcium supplements?

Are certain calcium supplements absorbed better than others? —I.S.A., Baltimore

Yes, but the difference isn’t significant. All forms of calcium, such as calcium carbonate, calcium citrate, and tricalcium phosphate, are absorbed well enough to help you meet your daily requirement, especially when taken after a meal. And there’s no evidence that expensive varieties of calcium from coral, limestone, or oyster shells have any special benefit. So let cost or preference be your guide. Choose a supplement that carries the “USP Verified” seal, which indicates that it has been tested by the U.S. Pharmacopeia for purity.

Swine flu scams on the rise

Whenever a public health or safety issue looms large, a certain segment of our economy tries to profit from the fear and confusion. We’ve seen it happen during the bird flu and SARS scares, and swine flu is no different. Since May, the Food and Drug Administration has warned more than 75 Web sites selling more than 135 products to stop making fraudulent H1N1 influenza virus claims—and they’ve been keeping a list of fraudulent products.

Back in May, we reported on the lack of evidence for most flu supplements. There’s little reason to believe that supplements are effective for preventing or treating any flu. And some, such as colloidal silver, can actually be dangerous.

A new article from the Associated Press reports that "products making bogus claims to prevent or treat swine flu are flooding the Internet as scam artists prey on the public's fears while the vaccine is delayed." Among the scams: air "sterilizers," photon machines, immune boosting supplements, and non-prescription Tamiflu that turned out to be powdered talc and a generic chemical, or even worse, unapproved doses of the drug that could be impure, subpotent, superpotent or contaminated.

"It's harmful, disappointing, frustrating to see folks take advantage of the public like this," our own John Santa, M.D., director of the Consumer Reports Health Ratings Center, told the AP.

—Kevin McCarthy, associate editor

For more on swine flu scam treatments, read our blog "Avoid Supplements Claiming to Help with Swine (or any) Flu".

Q&A: Calcium from nondairy foods?

Beans and dark-green leafy vegetables are often listed as good sources of calcium. But isn’t it true that very little calcium is absorbed from nondairy foods? —L.M., Spokane, Wash.

No. Dairy is a superior source of calcium only because it contains more than most other foods in the first place, not because the mineral is especially well-absorbed. A few nondairy foods high in the calcium-blocking substances oxalate and phytate—such as certain nuts and some dark leafy greens, grains, and soy products—are on the low end of the absorption spectrum, which ranges from about 5 percent to 60 percent. But there are no clear patterns. For example, calcium is absorbed well from kale and bok choy, poorly from spinach and Swiss chard. So the best strategy is to eat low- or no-fat dairy products plus a variety of plant foods as well as sardines (including the bones), canned salmon, shellfish, and calcium-fortified foods. People who can’t eat plenty of those foods may need calcium supplements.

Q&A: Cod-liver oil hazard?

Between cod-liver oil capsules and a multivitamin, I get 5,500 international units (IU) per day of vitamin A in the retinol form. Could that be harmful? —M.K., El Segundo, Calif.

Yes. The body gets vitamin A in two forms: from retinol, or "preformed" vitamin A, and from beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A. Over time, a high intake of retinol can cause nervous-system and liver damage and increase the risk of birth defects, hip fractures, and premature death. That’s why men and women should get no more than 3,000 IU or 2,300 IU of retinol a day, respectively. Since the evidence on cod-liver oil is limited—just a few studies suggesting that it may reduce depression and certain risk factors for heart disease—you should probably skip it given its retinol content (about 1,250 IU in a typical gel-cap supplement). And ask your doctor about having your blood tested for excessive levels of the vitamin.

Q&A: Are "pins and needles" a sign of something serious?

My fingers and toes have developed a tingling, 'pins-and-needles' sensation. Could that indicate something serious? —A.L., Barre, Vt.

While occasional tingling (say, when your foot falls asleep) is probably benign, regular or constant "pins and needles" definitely merits a visit to the doctor. The sensation could stem from any of a number of conditions that disturb the nerves leading to the hands and feet—some of them serious. Possible culprits include anxiety, diabetes, kidney failure, lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and deficiencies of vitamin B12 or thiamin. To determine the cause, your doctor should review your medical history, do a thorough physical examination, including appropriate lab tests, and if necessary refer you to a neurologist.

Q&A: Is there a way to prevent niacin rash?

I take 500 milligrams a day of niacin to control my triglycerides. After I take the pill my face flushes and an itchy rash appears. Is there a way to prevent this? —S.D., Sharon, Mass.

Yes. Flushing and rash are the most common side effects of niacin, a preferred treatment for high triglycerides, a type of artery-clogging fat. Steps that can reduce those effects include taking aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, and generic) 30 to 60 minutes before the niacin; taking niacin with a snack or meal; avoiding hot beverages, baths, or showers within an hour or so of your dose; taking your dose before bedtime; and using the lowest effective dose.

Q&A: Oregano oil for allergies?

I’ve read that oregano oil can kill bacteria and fight allergies. Is there evidence to support those claims? —R.S., Fort Lee, N.J.

Some, but not enough to justify using it. A few test-tube studies have shown that high concentrations of oregano oil can kill some bacteria, fungi, and viruses. And one human study found that taking the oil orally helped to kill intestinal parasites. But swallowing oregano oil can cause upset stomach, diarrhea, and allergic reactions, and it could potentially damage the lining of the stomach and intestines. And we could find no evidence that the oil helps fight allergies.Your best bet is to rely on proven methods to fight both infection and allergies, and limit your oregano use to the actual spice—a potent source of healthful phytochemicals, research has found.

Q&A: Can supplements fight macular degeneration?

Can antioxidant supplements for the eyes fight macular degeneration? —D.C., Bellport, N.Y.

Yes, if you already have the potentially blinding condition but it’s not too advanced. In a study of 4,757 people, those with moderate macular degeneration who took a daily antioxidant eye supplement (Ocuvite PreserVision and others) cut the risk of further retinal damage by 25 percent. But talk with your ophthalmologist first, since high doses of some antioxidants in the pills have been linked to health risks: beta-carotene with lung cancer in smokers, for example, and vitamin E with heart failure in people with diabetes.

Q&A: Grapefruit-seed extract hazards?

I’m taking a supplement that contains grapefruit-seed extract, which purportedly fights infections. Is there any good evidence to support that claim? —J.L., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

No. A few studies have found that disinfectants made with grapefruit extract can kill certain bacteria, yeasts, and molds. But that effect probably comes from preservatives in the sprays rather than the extract, since comparable preservative-free products don’t seem to kill the bugs. Moreover, like the fruit itself, grapefruit-seed extract blocks a key drug-metabolizing enzyme, which may lead to increases in the blood levels, risks, and side effects of numerous drugs. If you take medications, talk to your doctor before you start routinely eating grapefruit or taking a supplement that contains it—or before stopping if you already do, which could cause a sudden drop in the levels of medication in your blood.

Q&A: Vegan omega-3s?

As a vegan, I prefer to avoid fish and fish-oil supplements. Are algae pills that contain some of the same omega-3 fatty acids a good substitute? —H.W., Philadelphia

Probably not. Clinical trials have shown that the omega-3 fatty acids DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) in fish and fish oil reduce heart-attack and stroke risk. But algae supplies only DHA, which alone has not been proved to reduce cardiovascular risk.While your body can manufacture DHA and EPA from alphalinolenic acid—found in flax and certain vegetable oils—researchers haven’t determined whether getting omega-3s from those vegetarian sources is adequate to reduce risk. The best documented way for nonfish eaters to protect against heart attack and stroke through diet is to consume lots of plant foods, including leafy greens, nuts, and whole grains, while limiting intake of trans and saturated fats and cholesterol.