‘Reload’ Pills Danger: Viagra-Like Pills Containing Sildenafil Should Be Thrown Away, Says The FDA — ReloadPill.com Now A Dating Site

The pills called “Reload,” which feature bragging claims such as the fact that it is a “sexual performance enhancer for men” and that the capsules are 72-hours strong, are being challenged on Thursday, reports TMZ.

Lamar Odom allegedly took 10 Reload pills in three days, says TMZ, which features the Reload packaging, a certain come-hither sell that shows the red Reload pill like a bullet in a gun that a blonde woman is kissing. However, it’s the fine print of the 1,875 mg Reload capsules that’s putting these Viagra-like pills in the sights of the FDA, which confirmed that Reload contains the active ingredients of Viagra. The FDA report pointed to ReloadPill.com as one of the sites that sold the Reload pills, however, as of this writing, ReloadPill.com features dating site advice.

“FDA laboratory analysis confirmed that ‘Reload’ contains sildenafil, the active ingredient in the FDA-approved prescription drug Viagra, used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). This undeclared ingredient may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs such as nitroglycerin and may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. Men with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease often take nitrates.”

That active ingredient is Sildenafil, and even though Sildenafil doesn’t appear on the list of ingredients in the Reload packaging, the dangers of overdosing on Sildenafil were made known when Daniel Medforth took 35 Viagra pills, as reported by the Inquisitr, and ended up in the hospital, but survived.

In that case, Medforth was blessed to survive after taking 35 Viagra pills, because Viagra contains Sildenafil, and too much of that substance can dangerously lower blood pressure, cause chest pain, and even result in death. On the Reload packaging, the Reload pills are called “fast acting” and instruct users to take one Reload capsule 30 minutes prior to sex. The Reload effects come alive upon sexual stimulation, the Reload advertising claims and says that Reload can be used to enhance the sexual performance and erectile functioning in men of all ages. Reload pills reportedly increase the firmness and size (of the phallic member, presumably) after only one dose.

The fact that pills like Reload hide some of their ingredients under “proprietary herbal blend” language and don’t declare potentially dangerous ingredients like sildenafil is troublesome, even if they post warnings on the package that Reload shouldn’t be used with nitrates. With consumers thinking something is an herbal supplement akin to something no stronger than a vitamin, Reload pills and those like them that contain undeclared substances could be specifically dangerous. With Odom reportedly taking 10 Reload pills over three days, he may not have known what the Reload pills literally contained and may not have read the FDA warning to throw the Reload pills away.

“Consumers should stop using [Reload pills] immediately and throw [the Reload pills] away. Consumers who have experienced any negative side effects should consult a health care professional as soon as possible.”

Unlike Daniel, who knowingly took 35 Viagra pills as a joke and suffered the consequences, other consumers might not be so quick to down handfuls of Viagra, because the warnings of doing so are becoming more apparent and advertised. Taking a handful of supposedly herbal substances like Reload might not seem as dangerous on the forefront, especially with innocent-sounding ingredients like Ginseng and Gingko Biloba being touted on the ingredients list. However, the FDA warns that only via their testing were they able to uncover the fact that Reload pills actually contained sildenafil.

“Note: This notification is to inform the public of a growing trend of dietary supplements or conventional foods with hidden drugs and chemicals. These products are typically promoted for sexual enhancement, weight loss, and body building, and are often represented as being ‘all natural.’ FDA is unable to test and identify all products marketed as dietary supplements on the market that have potentially harmful hidden ingredients. Consumers should exercise caution before purchasing any product in the above categories.”

The most recent reports say that Odom remains in a coma with a 50-50 shot of surviving, reports the New York Daily News?.

[Images via Christopher Furlong/Getty Images News/Facebook/Reload]