Fake Viagra sold in Ontario could pose “serious health risks”

Health Canada says a counterfeit Viagra product that had been for sale in an Ontario store could pose serious health risks if ingested.

The federal agency said the counterfeit Viagra was found at Queen Street Variety in Toronto (1296 Queen Street East) in Leslieville and has since been confiscated.

“Immediately stop using and safely dispose of the product,” Health Canada says in a release. “Consult a health care professional if you have taken this product and have health concerns.”

The fake product is made to look like the real Viagra, including the packaging, but may contain dangerous contaminants and hidden ingredients or a dosage that is higher than what is shown on the label.

The manufacturers of Viagra have confirmed that the seized product is counterfeit.

“Like the authentic version, the counterfeit Viagra is labelled to contain the prescription drug sildenafil,” Health Canada says. “Sildenafil should be used only under the supervision of a health care professional. It should not be used by people taking any kind of nitrate drug (e.g., nitroglycerin) as it can cause potentially life-threatening low blood pressure. People with heart problems are at increased risk of cardiovascular side effects such as heart attack, stroke, chest pain, high blood pressure and abnormal heartbeat. Other possible side effects include headache, facial flushing, indigestion, dizziness, abnormal vision, and hearing loss.”

Health Canada says the best way to make sure a product such as Viagra is legitimate is if you buy it from a licensed pharmacy, with a prescription from your health care professional. As well, they add that prescription drugs cannot cannot be sold or made available outside of pharmacies.

The agency said the fake products that were seized had expiration dates of March 2025 and March 2028.