Male Enhancement OTC Products Revealed

According to a study from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, more than 18 million men in the United States experience erectile dysfunction (ED).

With numerous commercials promoting medications for the treatment of ED, many men are inquisitive about the various treatment options and available OTC supplements.

Doing a basic Internet search, I was overwhelmed by the long lists of available products that claim to increase size, stamina, pleasure, and more.

These types of products are available on the shelves and the Internet, making them easily accessible to patients. The big question is: what exactly is in these types of products?

Looking at 10 different products, some of the ingredients I came across include:

• Tribulus terrestris
• Arginine ethyl ester
• Eurycoma longifolia
• Avena sativa
• Maca root
• Fenugreek
• Horny goat weed
• Niacin
• Mucuna pruriens
• Resveratrol
• Yohimbe

While reviewing these products, not only did I find outrageous claims, but I also noticed several alarming statements under the Frequently Asked Questions section. Some of these include:

Are there any side effects?

Claim: No! The ingredients in this product are 100% natural and have been formulated with 100% safety in mind.

Pharmacist input: This product has 14 different ingredients, niacin being 1 of them.

Do I have to be suffering from ED in order to use this product?

Claim: No, that is the best part, you can use this product just to enhance your sex life or if you suffer from ED.

Pharmacist input: If you have ED, you should visit your health care provider as this may indicate an underlying condition such as diabetes. In addition, this product has not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Is this product a drug? Do I need a prescription?

Claim: This medication contains no drugs or substances that are not naturally occurring; nothing that has not been regularly consumed by humans for thousands of years. So, unlike a drug, you do not have to wonder about the possible unknown long-term consequences of a new artificial substance.

Pharmacist Input: This product contains niacin, zinc, and copper, as well as other root and herb extracts.

Since these products are easily accessible to just about anyone, pharmacists need to stay informed about them in order to help educate patients. Patients need to understand that the FDA does not evaluate these products. In addition, these products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.