Boner Bears are marketed as gummy supplements for male sexual performance, but serious concerns exist about their safety and legality. Many similar products have been found to contain undeclared sildenafil—the active ingredient in Viagra—when tested by UK regulators. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) regularly warns against unlicensed sexual enhancement products sold as 'natural' supplements that actually contain prescription-only medicines. These unregulated products pose significant health risks, including unpredictable dosing, dangerous drug interactions, and contamination. This article examines whether Boner Bears contain sildenafil, the risks of unregulated products, and how to access safe, legal erectile dysfunction treatments in the UK.

What Are Boner Bears and Do They Contain Sildenafil?

Boner Bears are marketed as gummy supplements claiming to enhance male sexual performance and treat erectile dysfunction. These products are typically sold online through various websites and social media platforms, often without proper regulatory oversight or transparent ingredient disclosure.

The critical concern: Many such products have been found to contain undeclared sildenafil or similar phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors when tested by regulatory authorities. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued multiple warnings and enforcement notices about unlicensed sexual enhancement products sold as 'natural' supplements that actually contain prescription-only medicines. These products pose significant health risks because consumers are unaware they are taking potent pharmaceutical agents, potentially at unknown and uncontrolled doses.

Whilst manufacturers of Boner Bears may claim their products are herbal or natural, there is no official verification of their ingredients without independent laboratory analysis. The lack of regulation means that:

• Product composition may vary between batches

• Actual sildenafil content (if present) cannot be verified

• Other undeclared substances may be included

• Manufacturing standards are unknown

In the UK, most sildenafil products are classified as prescription-only medicines (POM). Viagra Connect 50 mg is available as a Pharmacy (P) medicine following pharmacist assessment, but any supplement containing hidden sildenafil is illegal and bypasses essential safety checks. Products marketed as food supplements or herbal remedies that contain undeclared sildenafil are operating outside the law. Consumers should be extremely cautious about purchasing any sexual enhancement products that are not obtained through legitimate pharmaceutical channels, as they may contain hidden medicines that could interact dangerously with other medications or underlying health conditions. The MHRA regularly conducts enforcement operations to remove such illegal products from the UK market.

Understanding Sildenafil: The Active Ingredient in Viagra

Sildenafil is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor originally developed by Pfizer and marketed under the brand name Viagra. It was the first oral treatment licensed for erectile dysfunction and remains one of the most widely prescribed medications for this condition in the UK.

Mechanism of action: Sildenafil works by inhibiting the PDE5 enzyme, which is responsible for breaking down cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in the smooth muscle cells lining blood vessels. During sexual stimulation, nitric oxide is released in the erectile tissue of the penis, which activates the production of cGMP. This chemical messenger causes smooth muscle relaxation and increased blood flow to the penis, facilitating an erection. By blocking PDE5, sildenafil allows cGMP levels to remain elevated for longer, enhancing the natural erectile response to sexual stimulation.

It is important to understand that sildenafil does not cause spontaneous erections — sexual stimulation is still required for the medication to be effective. The drug typically begins working within 30–60 minutes of oral administration, with effects lasting approximately 4–6 hours. A high-fat meal can delay the onset of action and may reduce effectiveness.

Common adverse effects (as detailed in the Summary of Product Characteristics and British National Formulary) include:

• Headache (affecting approximately 16% of users)

• Facial flushing

• Indigestion or dyspepsia

• Nasal congestion

• Visual disturbances (such as blue-tinged vision or increased light sensitivity)

• Dizziness

More serious but rare adverse effects include sudden vision loss, sudden hearing loss, priapism (prolonged erection lasting more than 4 hours), and cardiovascular events in susceptible individuals.

Important contraindications and interactions:

• Sildenafil is contraindicated in patients taking nitrate medications (commonly prescribed for angina) or riociguat due to the risk of severe hypotension, which can be life-threatening

• Potent CYP3A4 inhibitors (such as ritonavir, ketoconazole, itraconazole, and erythromycin) markedly increase sildenafil exposure and require dose adjustment or avoidance

• Grapefruit juice may also increase sildenafil levels

• Caution is required with alpha-blockers and certain antihypertensive medications

Full prescribing information, including detailed interaction and contraindication data, is available in the electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC) Summary of Product Characteristics and the British National Formulary (BNF).

Risks of Unregulated Products Claiming to Contain Sildenafil

Purchasing unregulated sexual enhancement products such as Boner Bears carries substantial health risks that extend far beyond the uncertainty of whether they actually contain sildenafil. The MHRA regularly identifies and removes dangerous products from the UK market through enforcement operations, including participation in international initiatives such as Operation Pangea, but online sales channels make enforcement challenging.

Primary health risks include:

• Unpredictable dosing: Products may contain varying amounts of sildenafil, from none to dangerously high concentrations. Standard prescribed doses range from 25 mg to 100 mg, but unregulated products may contain several times this amount, increasing the risk of serious adverse effects.

• Drug interactions: Sildenafil interacts with numerous medications, particularly nitrates, riociguat, alpha-blockers, some antihypertensives, and potent CYP3A4 inhibitors (certain antifungal and antibiotic medications). Without medical supervision, users may unknowingly combine sildenafil with contraindicated drugs, risking severe hypotension, cardiovascular events, or other serious complications.

• Contamination and adulteration: Laboratory analyses conducted by the MHRA and international enforcement agencies have revealed contamination with heavy metals, pesticides, and other pharmaceutical substances not listed on labels. Some products contain analogues of sildenafil that have never been tested in humans and lack safety data.

• Underlying health conditions: Erectile dysfunction can be an early warning sign of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or other serious health conditions. By self-medicating with unregulated products, individuals bypass essential medical assessment that could identify life-threatening conditions requiring treatment.

• Lack of quality control: Unlike licensed medicines manufactured to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards, unregulated products have no quality assurance, sterility guarantees, or batch testing.

The MHRA advises that anyone who has purchased or used such products and experienced adverse effects should report this through the Yellow Card Scheme (accessible at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk or via the Yellow Card app) and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms are serious. When purchasing medicines online, always verify that the website displays both the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) registration and the MHRA Distance Selling Logo to ensure legitimacy.

Safe and Legal Alternatives for Erectile Dysfunction in the UK

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common condition that increases with age, affecting a substantial proportion of men in the UK. Fortunately, there are numerous safe, evidence-based treatment options available through legitimate healthcare channels.

First-line pharmacological treatments recommended by NICE include:

• PDE5 inhibitors: Sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, and avanafil are all licensed for ED treatment in the UK. These medications have undergone rigorous clinical trials and are manufactured to pharmaceutical standards. Tadalafil offers a longer duration of action (up to 36 hours), whilst sildenafil and vardenafil work for 4–6 hours. NHS prescribing of certain PDE5 inhibitors may be subject to local restrictions.

• Alprostadil: For men who cannot use PDE5 inhibitors, alprostadil (a prostaglandin E1 analogue) can be administered via intracavernosal injection or intraurethral application.

Non-pharmacological interventions that may be appropriate include:

• Lifestyle modifications: Addressing modifiable risk factors such as obesity, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity can significantly improve erectile function

• Psychological therapy: Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or psychosexual counselling may benefit men whose ED has psychological components

• Vacuum erection devices: Mechanical devices that create negative pressure to draw blood into the penis

• Penile prostheses: Surgical implants reserved for cases where other treatments have failed

Addressing underlying causes is essential. NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries (CKS) guidance recommends that assessment of ED should include:

• Cardiovascular risk assessment

• Screening for diabetes

• Hormonal evaluation: early-morning total testosterone level; if low, repeat with luteinising hormone (LH) and prolactin if clinically indicated

• Medication review (as some drugs can cause or worsen ED)

• Assessment of psychological factors and relationship issues

Treating underlying conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, or depression may improve erectile function without requiring specific ED medication. Further information is available through NICE CKS: Erectile dysfunction and the NHS website.

How to Obtain Sildenafil Safely Through the NHS

Sildenafil and other PDE5 inhibitors can be obtained safely and legally in the UK through several legitimate routes, ensuring appropriate medical oversight and pharmaceutical quality standards.

NHS prescription routes:

• GP consultation: Men experiencing erectile dysfunction should first consult their GP, who will conduct a thorough medical history and examination. The GP will assess cardiovascular risk, review current medications, and may order blood tests to check for diabetes, hormonal imbalances, or other underlying conditions. If appropriate, the GP can prescribe sildenafil or alternative PDE5 inhibitors.

• NHS prescribing criteria: NHS England guidance specifies circumstances under which PDE5 inhibitors may be prescribed on the NHS, including ED caused by specific conditions such as diabetes, prostate cancer treatment, severe pelvic injury, kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplant, severe distress, or certain neurological conditions. Men not meeting these criteria may need to obtain private prescriptions. Local policies may vary, and prescribing of certain PDE5 inhibitors may be restricted; consult your GP or refer to NHS guidance for current information.

Private prescription options:

• Private GP services: Men can consult private GPs who can issue private prescriptions for sildenafil after appropriate assessment

• Online doctor services: Legitimate online pharmacies registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) offer consultations with UK-registered prescribers. These services must conduct proper medical assessments before prescribing

Pharmacy supply:

Since 2018, sildenafil 50 mg (Viagra Connect) has been available as a Pharmacy (P) medicine for men aged 18 and over. This means it can be supplied by a pharmacist following a consultation to ensure the medicine is appropriate and safe for the individual. This is a reclassification of the medicine and does not involve a patient group direction (PGD) or the NHS Pharmacy First service.

Important safety considerations:

• Always verify that online pharmacies display both the GPhC registration logo and the MHRA Distance Selling Logo

• Ensure any online consultation includes questions about medical history, current medications, and cardiovascular health

• Collect medications from registered pharmacies or receive them in tamper-evident packaging

• Never purchase from websites that do not require any medical information or proper assessment

When to seek urgent medical attention:

Men taking sildenafil should contact emergency services immediately if they experience chest pain, sudden vision or hearing loss, or an erection lasting more than 4 hours. Any concerning side effects should be reported to a GP or pharmacist promptly.

Frequently Asked Questions