Sierra Leone warns against consumption of Coco Samba, others

The Pharmacy Board of Sierra Leone has warned its citizens about the consumption of several herbal products found to contain high levels of sildenafil citrate, a prescription drug used to treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension.

The herbal products include Coco Samba, Olekoko Akson Bitters, Oga Abeg, and Good Time Natural Herbal Formula.

The Board had previously issued a cautionary statement about “COCO SAMBA” after initial tests raised concerns about its safety.

National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) had warned in January that the Coco Samba was “falsified Coco Samba Herbal Mixture 100ml in circulation.”

NAFDAC said the the product contained more than “the maximum daily dose for sildenafil,” the same drug Sierra Leone authorities found in the products circulating in the country.

“The said product confirmed that each bottle of COCO SAMBA contains a heavy dose (193 mg) of Sildenafil Citrate as an adulterant as compared to the usual prescribed dose of 50-100 mg,” the Pharmacy Board of Sierra Leone said in a statement.

“Sildenafil is a prescription drug, mainly used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension.”

According to the Pharmacy Board, an overdose of Sildenafil Citrate can result in serious side effects such as a significant drop in blood pressure, which can be fatal, visual disturbances, headaches, dizziness, chest pain, and painful and prolonged erections, which can cause permanent penile damage.

It, however, urged the public to stop the consumption of these harmful products and report any individual or institution found marketing these products.

The board also encourages anyone who has experienced side effects from these products or any other product to report them or call on these numbers 099117117 or 073994830.