Coffee Aphrodisiac "Magic Power Coffee" Casts Dangerous Spell, Says FDA
WASHINGTON (CBS/AP) Magic Power Coffee, a company that is hawking a coffee aphrodisiac, says it is "serving passion one cup at a time." But a new FDA warning says the heady brew is more like black magic and could be dangerous.
"Because this product is an instant coffee labeled as an 'all natural dietary supplement,' consumers may assume it is harmless and poses no health risk," said Deborah M. Autor, director of FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Office of Compliance. "In fact, Magic Power Coffee can cause serious harm."
"Sexual enhancement products that claim to work as well as prescription products are likely to expose consumers to unpredictable risks and the potential for injury or even death," the FDA said.
"Death" is definitely not listed as a potential side effect on the Magic Power website.
The FDA says the instant coffee contains a chemical that could interact with some prescription drugs to significantly lower blood pressure,leading to dizziness or lightheadedness. On Saturday, the agency urged consumers to stop using the product.
The offending chemical is hydroxythiohomosildenafil, which the FDA says is similar to sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra. They caution that it can interact with nitrates such as nitroglycerin, which are often prescribed to heart patients.
Magic Power Coffee's website claims the active ingredients in its product are horny goat weed (epimedium), goji berry (lyceum barbarum), and ginseng. Epimedium is known to lower blood pressure.
The good news: the FDA says it isn't aware of anyone so far being hurt by the product.
The bad news: Couples looking for a love potion should probably look elsewhere.