Stamina-Rx Side Effects

Stamina-RX is a product marketed as a natural treatment for erectile dysfunction. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined the product contains a prescription medication known as benzamidenafil and poses a risk for side effects.

Background

• In a statement released on June 19, 2009, the FDA reports that Stamina-RX contains benzamidenafil, a prescription medication similar to the erectile dysfunction sildenafil, tadalafil and vardenafil. Because of this, the FDA advises anyone using Stamina-RX to discontinue its use.

Types of Side Effects

• Side effects of phosphodiesterase 5 medications like benzamidenafil include body aches and pains, nosebleeds, diarrhea, difficult breathing, flushing, headaches, nasal congestion, sneezing, indigestion, insomnia and warm skin.

Drug Interactions

• When combined with heart medications that contain nitroglycerine, the benzamidenafil contained in Stamina-Rx may cause severe drops in blood pressure levels, warns the FDA.

Risks

• Some patients develop sudden hypotension while taking phosphodiesterase 5 medications like benzamidenafil, which may cause sudden fainting. This class of drugs also poses a risk for a condition known as non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, which can cause permanent blindness, warns the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Considerations

• If you have a history of angina, arrhythmia, bleeding problems, heart disease, high or low blood pressure, leukemia, sickle-cell anemia, heart attack, stroke, diabetes, high cholesterol, non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, kidney or liver disease or pulmonary veno-occlusive disease, it may not be safe for you to take Stamina-Rx because it contains benzamidenafil, cautions the Mayo Clinic.