The Department of Health has urged people not to take anti-impotence products from unknown sources after the Hospital Authority reported today two men were seriously affected by products containing undeclared ingredients.

The men, 76 and 87, collapsed in late May and required intensive care on the Mainland and in Hong Kong. They are now being treated in public hospitals, with one in serious condition and the other stable.

They took red rhomboid tablets. Undeclared drug ingredients glibenclamide and sildenafil were found in their urine and tablets found at their homes.

The 76-year-old had also taken an unnamed bluish-white capsule while the 87-year-old had taken an unlabelled blue rhomboid drug. These drugs were found to contain sildenafil.

More cases

In the past two weeks the department was notified of two similar cases involving patients taking brown rhomboid tablets. They claimed the drug was named "Jiu Bian Wang". Jiu Bian Wang is not a registered pharmaceutical product in Hong Kong. Earlier tests said it contains sildenafil and a high dosage of glibenclamide.

There have been 58 cases of problems caused by unregistered virility products this year, affecting 56 men aged 39 to 87. Two died.

Glibenclamide is a diabetic drug which can cause nausea and gastro-intestinal upset. Improper use can cause a significant fall in blood sugar causing serious health effects and even death.

Sildenafil's side effects include low blood pressure, headache, vomiting, dizziness, and vision disturbances. It can interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs and can lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. Improper use of sildenafil can pose serious health risks, especially for patients with heart problems.

Products containing sildenafil or glibenclamide must be registered before sale and can only be sold on a doctor's prescription and under a pharmacist's supervision.