Fda Warns ‘spanish Fly’ Can Be Lethal

FDA warns ‘Spanish Fly’ can be lethal

BANGKOK: -- The Food and Drug Administra-tion (FDA) yesterday warned of the potentially fatal side-effects of “Spanish Fly”, a so-called aphrodisiac reportedly used by Chiang Mai youngsters to increase their sexual desire.

Manit Arunakul, FDA deputy secretary, said Spanish Fly was a derivative of cantharides, a drug the FDA is monitoring because no studies guarantee its safety.

“It takes hours for cantharides to become active. It makes the genitals swell and numb when users urinate, thus creating the myth that it stimulates sexual desire,” he said.

The drug is used to stimulate animals during breeding but it does not have the same effect on humans.

“It has potentially fatal side-effects such as a swollen urinary tract, convulsions, coma and heart failure,” he said.

Spanish Fly comes in liquid form and has no colour or scent so people should be careful that the drug is not mixed in with their drinks.

He added that no drug exists that can stimulate sexual craving, although sildenafil can help men to maintain an erection long enough to have sexual intercourse.

“It’s worrying that there are more and more products available at Bangkok’s night entertainment venues that claim to stimulate sexual desire,” Manit said.

--The Nation 2005-12-02