How can you spot fake sexual enhancement pills, and why are they dangerous?

What counts as a fake or unregistered enhancement product?

In this article, a “fake” product means one sold for male performance that is not registered with the Drug Control Authority, uses someone else's registration number, or contains ingredients not declared on the label.

In Malaysia, modern medicines, traditional products and health supplements must be registered before sale. The National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) assesses their quality and safety. Unregistered products skip that assessment, so nobody can vouch for what is really inside the capsule or bottle.

Why would a “herbal” product contain sildenafil?

Sildenafil and tadalafil are prescription medicines for erection problems. NPRA states that sildenafil and its analogues are not allowed in products classed as traditional medicine. Some sellers still mix them into “herbal” products so buyers feel an effect and credit the herbs.

Examples from official sources:

• NPRA lists unregistered products found adulterated with sildenafil, such as Cobra X, Kopi Jantan +++, Man King and Pronoton, and Vimax (a sildenafil analogue).
• On 18 March 2019, NPRA asked the public not to buy or use Nan Bao Capsule after it was found to contain sildenafil and tadalafil. Its registration was cancelled.
• The Ministry of Health's banned-product list includes Kama-Max Booster with Extract Ginseng, found to contain sildenafil.
• In August 2024, the ministry banned the sale of Kopi Pejuang after it was found to contain an erectile dysfunction drug.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also warns that many sexual enhancement products advertised as “natural” are contaminated with hidden drug ingredients, and that its warning list covers only a small fraction of products on the market.

What harm can hidden sildenafil do?

The problem is not sildenafil itself but taking it without a doctor and without knowing the dose. NPRA says using sildenafil without medical supervision can cause serious side effects, including reduced or lost sight or hearing, a sudden drop in blood pressure, stroke and heart attack.

The highest risk is for men who take nitrate medicines for chest pain (angina). Nitrates combined with sildenafil can push blood pressure to dangerous levels. Men with heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure are more likely to take such medicines, so they are more exposed.

Fake products are also unpredictable. One capsule may hold a far higher dose than a prescription, or a mix of several substances. Side effects such as headache, flushing and a racing heart can be worse.

How do you check a MAL number on NPRA QUEST3+?

It takes a few minutes and works on a phone:

• Find the registration number on the box. It starts with “MAL”, then 8 digits and a category letter, for example MAL12345678T (T for traditional products, N for health supplements, X for over-the-counter medicines, A for controlled medicines).
• Open NPRA QUEST3+ Product Search, choose the pharmaceutical product category and enter the MAL number.
• Make sure the product name, form (capsule, tablet, liquid), registration holder and status on screen match the box in your hand.
• Check the Ministry of Health security hologram on the pack too. A pharmacist at a licensed pharmacy can help.
• If there is no MAL number, or the number cannot be found, treat the product as unregistered.

Remember: a valid MAL number for one product does not guarantee that the pack you received is genuine. Counterfeits sometimes copy the packaging of registered products. Be careful if the price is too low, the pack looks different, or the seller will not send a photo of the full label. The full guide is in how to check KKM registration.

What warning signs should you look for in adverts and labels?

Besides the MAL number, watch for these signs. One sign alone does not prove a product is fake, but several together are a reason to stop and check:

• Claims such as “works in 15 minutes”, “100% effective”, “no side effects at all” or that it “cures” men's problems.
• A label with no ingredient list, manufacturer name or registration holder address.
• A “herbal” product with a very fast, strong effect, like a prescription drug.
• Sold only through private messages, in packs with no Malay or English text.
• Glowing testimonials with no name or verifiable source.

What should you do if you have already taken a suspect product?

Stop using it. If you have chest pain, breathlessness, severe dizziness, a sudden change in sight or hearing, or a painful erection that does not go away after a few hours, get emergency care or call 999. Take the pack to the clinic so the doctor knows what you took.

You can report a suspected unregistered product to the Ministry of Health's Pharmacy Enforcement Division. Side effects can also be reported to NPRA through a doctor or pharmacist.

What is the safer option?

If erection problems keep happening, the safest step is to see a doctor. They are often linked to diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol or heart disease, and a doctor can check all of these. If medicine is needed, the doctor can prescribe something that suits your heart and your other medicines. See also erectile dysfunction: causes, signs and treatment.

Have a question before buying a health product?

If you are unsure how to read a label or check a MAL number, ask us on WhatsApp. We can show you how to check, but for medical decisions, please ask a doctor or pharmacist.

Frequently asked questions