Don’t. Vape. Your. Viagra.

We had to say it, but we weren’t the first. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a written warning to HelloCig Electronic Technology Co. Ltd after the agency had reason to believe the Japan-based vaping company was illegally selling e-liquid products intended for vaping that contained unapproved drugs for erectile dysfunction, as well as weight loss drugs – the company falsely claims both were approved by the FDA. Oops.

The FDA says information on the HelloCig website is “directed to consumers and conveys, misleads, or would mislead consumers into believing” the products are approved by the federal agency and, as such, are misbranded under federal law.

The company’s “E-Cialis HelloCig E-Liquid” was found to contain the prescription drugs tadalafil and sildenafil while the “E-Rimonabant HelloCig E-Liquid” tested positive for sildenafil. Both drugs are approved by the FDA to treat erectile dysfunction under a prescription, not over the counter or in e-liquid products. The two prescriptions are inhibitors that can interact with the nitrates found in prescription drugs used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease in a dangerous way. 

“There are no e-liquids that contain prescription drugs that have been proven safe or effective through this route of administration,” said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb in a statement. 

Another e-liquid formula made by HelloCig is marketed for weight loss and branded in a way that suggests it contains Acomplia, an anti-obesity drug not approved by the FDA for sale in the US.

“Prescription drugs are carefully evaluated and labeled to reflect the risks of the medications and their potential interactions with other medicines, and vaping active drug ingredients is an ineffective route of delivery and can be dangerous,” said Gottlieb. “There are no e-liquid products approved to contain prescription drugs or any other medications that require a doctor’s supervision.”

It comes after more than 40 e-cigarette products have recently been criticized as the FDA is investigating whether companies are illegally marketing their products to children. Additionally, the agency sent letters to 21 other vape companies, including Vuse Alto, myblu, Myle, Rubi, and STIG.

The FDA says HelloCig is in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The company has 15 working days to respond with plans to address these concerns. If found guilty, the federal government could issue fines or potentially seize products.  

[H/T: Ars Technica]