According to local officials, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising consumers not to purchase or use the sexual enhancement pill, “France T253” as well as the  weight loss pill, “Japan Rapid Weight Loss Diet Pills Yellow” which is being promoted and sold on various Web sites, such as ebay.com. 

FDA laboratory analysis confirmed that the “France T253” pill contains sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, an FDA approved prescription drug for Erectile Dysfunction (ED).  Sildenafil may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs such as nitro-glycerine and may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. 

Men with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or heart disease often take nitrates, explained the release. 

Meanwhile, laboratory examinations confirmed that “Japan Rapid Weight Loss Diet Pills Yellow” contains sibutramine and phenolphthalein.   Sibutramine is a controlled substance that was removed from the market in October 2010 for safety reasons. 

The product poses a threat to consumers because sibutramine is known to substantially increase blood pressure and/or pulse rate in some patients and may present a significant risk for patients with a history of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias or stroke.  Phenolphthalein is a solution used in chemical experiments and a suspected cancer-causing agent that is not approved for marketing in the United States. 

An official from the FDA has stated that consumers should stop using these products immediately and throw them away and those who have experienced any negative side effects should consult a health care professional as soon as possible.