Man’s Date Turns Awry After Taking Counterfeit Viagra

A young man from Bromley, South London, experienced severe side effects after taking what he suspects was counterfeit Viagra before a date. In January 2023, Hamza took a blue pill given to him by a friend, hoping to boost his confidence. Instead, he found himself in a distressing situation as the effects of the medication became overwhelming.

Hamza, who is 30 years old, had been excited about his date with a woman he found beautiful and engaging. They had shared a strong connection online, and he wanted to make a good impression. “I took a Viagra pill my friend had given me beforehand,” he explained. “He said he’d got it from a pharmacy. I’d never taken it before but thought I’d give it a go.” Despite his friend’s advice to take only half, he swallowed the entire pill.

Shortly after ingestion, Hamza began to feel unwell. “My body started feeling really weird, and my heart started racing,” he recounted. He later learned that approximately 3.5 million unlicensed erection pills are sold annually in the UK, raising concerns about safety.

According to reports, the UK is facing an alarming increase in Viagra-related incidents. Last month, it was revealed that a record 518 men required hospital treatment for painful erections, with 410 cases classified as emergency admissions for priapism—when an erection lasts more than four hours. The drug, known as sildenafil, has been associated with over 200 deaths since its introduction in the UK in 1998.

Dr. Helen Wall, a general practitioner at The Oaks Family Practice in Bolton, Lancashire, cautioned against taking medications from friends or unverified sources. “While all these medications can be safe and effective when prescribed appropriately, they should never be used as what you might call party drugs,” she stated. “You don’t know if the drug is genuine, you don’t know what the right dose for you is, and you don’t know whether it’s safe for your health.”

Hamza’s experience became increasingly uncomfortable. “After about two hours, I realized the pill was working a bit too well,” he said. “I had the craziest erection ever, and it would not calm down.” He was distressed by the racing of his heart and the feeling that he was on “maximum mode.” Despite having sexual relations for about 25 minutes, he struggled to enjoy the experience.

Preferring to avoid discussing the situation with his date, Hamza excused himself and went home, hoping the effects would wear off. Typical side effects of sildenafil include headaches, flushing, and indigestion, but some users may experience more severe reactions. Dr. Wall emphasized that taking the drug without medical guidance could lead to serious complications, including priapism, which requires immediate medical attention.

Fortunately, after about 24 hours, Hamza’s side effects subsided, and he returned to normal. Reflecting on his ordeal, he expressed regret about his decision to take the pill. “I’d never take it again,” he said. “I’d rather not be able to perform than feel the way I did. It was one of the worst experiences of my life.”

Viagra has become notorious as the UK’s most counterfeited medication. In 2023, authorities seized fake products worth over £6.2 million. Many of these counterfeits are imported from regions like India and Southeast Asia and are sold through unregulated online platforms. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) reported that in the previous year, they confiscated 2.6 million doses of unlicensed sildenafil.

Andy Morling, head of enforcement at the MHRA, highlighted the dangers of purchasing medications from unverified sources. “There are tens of thousands of websites globally selling these products, and many are operated by organized criminals,” he noted. He urged consumers to be cautious and to only buy medications from registered pharmacies.

Although Hamza ultimately recovered from his experience, he has not contacted the woman he dated since. “I thought it’d help with nerves and my performance, but it only made things worse,” he admitted. “I wanted to be honest with her, but I didn’t have the courage.”

Dr. Wall concluded by underscoring the importance of obtaining medications through proper channels. “It’s vital that people get a proper medical check-up to ensure they actually need it and that it’s safe for them to take,” she said.