The Punjab government has warned the public against several herbal and traditional medicines after laboratory tests found they contained undeclared Sildenafil Citrate, a prescription drug used to treat erectile dysfunction.
The Government of Punjab has issued a public health alert after laboratory testing revealed that several herbal and traditional medicines being sold in the province contain undeclared Sildenafil Citrate, a pharmaceutical ingredient commonly prescribed for erectile dysfunction.
According to the Directorate of Drugs Control Punjab, the affected products were tested by the Drug Testing Laboratory Punjab, which found that Sildenafil Citrate was present despite not being listed on the product labels.
Officials said the products also lacked essential manufacturing information, including the manufacturer’s name, batch number and traceability details, making it impossible to verify their source, quality, authenticity or safety.
Products Identified in the Alert
The Directorate of Drugs Control identified the following products:
- Tofani Majoon
- Majoon Khora
- Capsule Sanda Timing
- Capsule Kasturi Plus
According to the alert, none of the products carried a valid batch number or manufacturer details, despite containing Sildenafil Citrate.
Potential Health Risks
Health authorities warned that the undisclosed presence of Sildenafil may expose consumers to serious health risks, particularly those who are unaware they are taking the medication.
Possible side effects include:
- Severe low blood pressure
- Fainting
- Cardiovascular complications
- Priapism (prolonged and painful erection)
- Sudden vision loss
- Sudden hearing loss
- Dangerous interactions with nitrate medications and certain other prescription drugs
Officials stressed that individuals with heart conditions or those taking medicines containing nitrates could face life-threatening complications.
Retailers Ordered to Stop Sales
The Punjab government has directed retailers, pharmacies, medical stores, wholesalers and distributors to immediately stop selling and distributing the identified products.
Businesses have also been instructed to quarantine any remaining stock and provide inventory and distribution records to the relevant Drug Inspector for further investigation.
Authorities believe the products were primarily marketed through online platforms and have urged consumers to avoid purchasing unregistered herbal medicines from unauthorized sellers.
The Directorate of Drugs Control advised anyone currently using the identified products to discontinue use immediately and seek medical advice if they experience any adverse effects.
