A Health Advisory issued by the Victorian State Government Department of Health warns of the potential for lead poisoning from Penisole, marketed as an Ayurvedic supplement in capsule form for ‘strengthening the male genitals’.
The Department is aware of at least one male user of the product, who had an elevated blood lead level.
Low-level exposure may be difficult to detect clinically but can still cause long-term harm.
Extremely high blood lead levels can cause organ damage and death. Blood lead levels over 5 µg/ml must be reported to the Department of Health within 5 days of diagnosis.
Health professionals should advise anyone taking Penisole to stop immediately and consider blood lead testing.
All patients should be reminded that complementary medicines marked with ‘AUST L’ or ‘AUST R’ numbers have been approved by the TGA for supply in Australia, and that products purchased online or from overseas without ‘AUST L’ or ‘AUST R’ numbers may be unsafe.
