Comments on: Vitamin drink said to cause priapism

By: Peter

Peter — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 12:28:54 +0000

Now that's what I call a stiff drink!

By: Charles M.

Charles M. — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 10:11:55 +0000

One of the major causes of dangerous priapism is Yohimbe. Yohimbe (or horny goat weed) is a strong stimulant which can raise blood pressure and cause an uncontrolled erection. Ephedra has a similar side effect, as does yerba matte…

Some of the so-called energy drinks and male-virility pills do contain these compounds.

I wonder if he was indulging in any of those libations or tablets as well. Perhaps, he chose the higher profile deep-pocket? I am sure there will be some great Daubert arguments, though.

By: John Rohan

John Rohan — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 04:20:32 +0000

I would think the company would want to hype up the publicity on this lawsuit as much as possible.
I find it hard to believe that the plaintiff can prove any real connection here. Still, whatever Novartis has to pay in damages, they will probably make up for in sales.

By: Edward Sodaro MD

Edward Sodaro MD — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 23:46:58 +0000

If I didn’t know better, I would say that this was a brilliant viral marketing scheme by the makers of the very mundane Boost Plus product.

Certain drugs can cause priapism (a potentially dangerous long acting erection), but Boost Plus contains no such medications. None of the ingredients in Boost Plus are unusual. None can cause priapism: water, corn syrup solids, sugar, milk protein concentrate, canola oil, high oleic sunflower oil, calcium caseinate, sodium caseinate, corn oil, and less than 1% potassium citrate, magnesium chloride, soy lecithin, calcium phosphate, salt; plus vitamins and minerals: sodium ascorbate, beta–carotene, biotin, niacinamide, calcium pantothenate, vitamin B 12, vitamin B 6 hydrochloride, riboflavin, thiamin hydrochloride, folic acid, potassium iodide, magnesium phosphate, artificial flavor, choline chloride, vitamin E acetate, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D 3, vitamin K 1, carrageenan, potassium chloride, zinc sulfate, manganese sulfate, cupric sulfate, chromic chloride, sodium molybdate, sodium selenite, ferrous sulfate.

Now many of these ingredients are imported from the highly dubious Chinese vitamin/food product industry. China for example now manufactures 80% of all vitamin C in the world. Plaintiff Christopher Woods would have a very strong case if he demonstrates hormonal contamination of Boost Plus.

By: Uncle Frankie

Uncle Frankie — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 21:50:20 +0000

Jeez Louise hooda thunk the the Plus part of the Boost Plus was boosting the old cannoli.

By: Walter E. Wallis

Walter E. Wallis — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 21:44:42 +0000

Betcha they’re all sold out.

By: cgage

cgage — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 21:24:34 +0000

It ain’t a bug, it’s a feature!