‘Sketchy gas station pills’ are hiding illegal prescription drugs like Viagra, warns pharmacist
Pharmacist warns gas station pills are hiding illegal drugs
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Prime Day ends tonight! Score these last-minute deals Men's Health‘Sketchy gas station pills’ are hiding illegal prescription drugs like Viagra, warns pharmacist
By Allie Yang Published June 18, 2026, 8:59 a.m. ETSee more of our coverage in your search results.
Add The New York Post on GoogleAgainst a fiery background with an African rhino pictured blazing forward, this pill advertises “TIME. SIZE. STAMINA.” It’s a common sight at bodegas and gas stations, hanging behind the clerk between the cigarettes and phone chargers.
There are dozens of brands making these gas station sex pills. Are they totally fake? Not exactly.
At best, they’re just herbal extracts that won’t do much of anything for you.
But at worst, it’s a totally unknown dose of a controlled medication like Viagra — which could cause heart issues.
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Grant Harting, a pharmacist from Pennsylvania, put one of these capsules to the test to find out exactly what’s in it. In a viral social media video, Harting opened what he called a “sketchy gas station pill” that had a “large African rhino” on the packaging.
It listed ingredients like goji extract, deng sen extract, and cinnamon bark — an “herbal” blend that he shouldn’t do much of anything.
But when he looked at the powder inside, he immediately knew there was “no shot” it was herbal. He was right: Upon testing, he found it was sildenafil, the same active ingredient of Viagra.
“This is super illegal and super dangerous,” he said.
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The brand name Viagra pills are strictly controlled for a reason. The drug should be used under the supervision of a doctor, because it can interact with other drugs and cause dangerously low blood pressure.
The real stuff, which requires a prescription, is also controlled for quality and the doses are consistent and known. The gas station stuff is a total mystery, both in terms of quality and dosage.
The FDA is well aware of the amount of illegal pharmaceuticals on the market. This month alone, they has released four new warnings about these sex pills.
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According to the FDA, “Pink Pussycat Brand,” “Hard AF!” and “Erectus Plus” are just some examples of pills that contain an unlisted mystery concoction of sildenafil and tadalafil, the active ingredient in Cialis. Both can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure.
“Business Pill” and “Branch Manager for Men” contained yohimbine, which used to be used for erectile dysfunction until safer, more effective treatments came along. Yohimbe can cause severe high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat and even heart attacks.
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It’s not just pills. In May, “Boner Bears” chocolates were recalled for containing sildenafil. “Pink Pussycat” also offered an array of products, from pills to liquid medication, honey, and chocolate — all with a secret concoction of sildenafil and tadalafil.
Like the pill Harting tested, these medications often claim to contain some herbal ingredients and never mention they have serious medication inside.
By only listing herbal ingredients, the products fall into the supplement category, avoiding the watchful eye of the FDA. Regulators don’t test or approve products before they go to the public, but may get involved if they falsely advertise.
The pull for gas station pills is obvious — skip the conversation with your doctor about sexual performance, and just pick up a solution right where you get your chips and soda.
But as a Men’s Health reporter found, it’s quite possible the pills could make you feel the opposite of sexy. After trying a selection of the sex pills, he described an “urge to projectile vomit,” sweating and feeling cold and clammy, and a “massive, explosive liquid poo.”
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
