On 26 March 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration published an announcement that Gear Isle, an adult novelty company with an office in the greater Sacramento area and a post office box in the Bay Area, would issue a nationwide recall of two chocolate-flavored aphrodisiacs it had been selling online via sites like eBay after they were found to be laced with undeclared prescription drug ingredients used to treat erectile dysfunction.
The products in question, Gold Lion Aphrodisiac Chocolate Male Enhancement Sachet and Ilum Sex Chocolate Male Sexual Enhancement Booster, both marketed as dietary supplements, were discovered to contain sildenafil and tadalafil, drugs marketed under the names Viagra and Cialis, respectively. These types of drugs work by blocking the phosphodiesterase type 5 enzyme, or PDE5, which breaks down cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in smooth muscle cells, thereby increasing cGMP levels, causing blood vessels to dilate, ensuring sufficient blood flow to the penis to cause an erection. A principal difference between the two drugs is that Viagra is designed to last for four to six hours when taken as needed, whereas Cialis lasts up to 36 hours and can be taken daily.
Unfortunately, if a man taking nitrates, either in the form of nitroglycerin tablets for heart problems or nitrate inhalants used to enhance sex, also uses a PDE5 inhibitor such as Viagra or Cialis, the two drugs will interact, causing a dramatic decrease in blood pressure, resulting in potentially fatal cardiovascular events such as heart attack or stroke.
The side effects of PDE5 inhibitors also include upper respiratory congestion, dizziness, headaches, flushing, indigestion and in very rare cases, loss of vision. In even rarer cases, anaphylaxis and seizures can occur.
Previously, the FDA issued a warning about Ilum Sex Chocolate Male Sexual Enhancement Booster in February 2026, declaring, “FDA laboratory analysis confirmed that [this product] contains tadalafil not listed on the product label.”
Although Gear Isle, a company specializing in adult novelties, does not make any of the products it sells and has not replied to media outlets requesting comments, it has directly contacted consumers to facilitate returns and reimbursements. Luckily, no adverse effects resulting from the consumption of either of these products has been reported to date.
Earlier this month, New Mexico-based Primal Supplements Group LLC, another company dealing in aphrodisiacs, decided to recall units of its Volume herbal supplement sold between 2 July and 19 September 2025 because they were also found to contain undeclared sildenafil.
The FDA also advises that anybody who has taken these products and is experiencing adverse reactions should immediately discontinue use and contact their health care provider.
