A 73-year-old Shanghai man fainted after taking a tonic that contained the same chemical synthesis as Viagra, officials from the PLA No. 411 Hospital said today.
The patient said a saleswoman came to his neighborhood in Hongkou District one week ago to promote a tonic medicine made from ginseng and caterpillar fungus, claiming it could boost immunization and cerebrovascular circulation. He spent 350 yuan for four packs.
He fainted suddenly at home yesterday and was sent to the PLA No. 411 Hospital where doctors found that there was no ginseng or caterpillar fungus in the medicine, only starch and sildenafil, the main Viagra ingredient to treat erection dysfunction.
Dr Bai Yingtang said the patient with a heart condition felt uncomfortable after taking the tonic. "If not receiving medical treatment, he could die," Bai said.
The patient said a saleswoman came to his neighborhood in Hongkou District one week ago to promote a tonic medicine made from ginseng and caterpillar fungus, claiming it could boost immunization and cerebrovascular circulation. He spent 350 yuan for four packs.
He fainted suddenly at home yesterday and was sent to the PLA No. 411 Hospital where doctors found that there was no ginseng or caterpillar fungus in the medicine, only starch and sildenafil, the main Viagra ingredient to treat erection dysfunction.
Dr Bai Yingtang said the patient with a heart condition felt uncomfortable after taking the tonic. "If not receiving medical treatment, he could die," Bai said.
