Sex pills are over-the-counter (OTC) pills that claim to help people have and maintain an erection. Instead of prescription medications, these products use herbs with very little scientific evidence of their effectiveness.

Some common ingredients in OTC pills include ashwagandha, saw palmetto, and horny goat’s weed. Many manufacturers use proprietary blends, meaning they do not disclose the exact herbs or amount they use in the ingredients list.

While OTC Sex pills are available online and in some stores, people should avoid using them unless they have discussed this with a healthcare professional. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Trusted Source warns that these pills can often contain undisclosed sildenafil, the main ingredient in Viagra. Sildenafil can interact with prescription medication and supplements, causing unintentional and dangerous side effects.

A 2021 studyTrusted Source found that some common ingredients, such as ginseng and tribulus terrestris, show promise and require more research.

However, there is little evidence that the other ingredients in the products are effective. One analysis states that there are limited human studies on the effects of supplements on ED.

Additionally, another 2021 study found that all of the OTC products the researchers examined contained undisclosed sildenafil. This ingredient can interact with other medications and cause side effects such as dangerously low blood pressure.

The researchers recommended that OTC products containing undisclosed sildenafil should be withdrawn from the market immediately due to health concerns.

The FDA does not regulate OTC male enhancement supplements.

The organization has tested many male enhancement products available to purchase online and found over 410Trusted Source contained hidden prescription ingredients such as sildenafil.

Taking products that contain undisclosed ingredients may cause unintentional side effects and interact with other medications. Sildenafil belongs to a class of medications known as PDE5 inhibitors.

When a person takes a PDE5 inhibitor alongside nitrates, such as nitroglycerine, it can causeTrusted Source dangerously low blood pressure. Some eye conditions, such as ischemic optic neuropathy, can worsen when taking sildenafil.