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Gas station sex pills: why you shouldn’t take them

9 min read

Written by: 

Kristin DeJohn

 and 

Jamie Ballard

Reviewed by: 

Raagini Yedidi, MD

Published: May 23, 2022

Updated:  Apr 02, 2025

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Reviewed By

Raagini Yedidi, MD

Raagini Yedidi, MD, is an internal medicine resident and medical reviewer for Ro.

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Key takeaways

  • Gas station sex pills are unregulated and unsafe, so you should not take them. 

  • There’s limited research to indicate certain herbs and vitamins can positively affect sexual function, but more studies are needed (and these ingredients may not be in gas station sex pills, even if they’re listed on the label). 

  • Safer options for treating erectile dysfunction (ED) include prescription medications and lifestyle changes.

Here's what we'll cover

Here's what we'll cover

Key takeaways

  • Gas station sex pills are unregulated and unsafe, so you should not take them. 

  • There’s limited research to indicate certain herbs and vitamins can positively affect sexual function, but more studies are needed (and these ingredients may not be in gas station sex pills, even if they’re listed on the label). 

  • Safer options for treating erectile dysfunction (ED) include prescription medications and lifestyle changes.

You’ve probably seen packets of gas station sex pills—that is to say, male sexual enhancement pills sold at gas stations and convenience stores—and wondered to yourself, “Do gas station sex pills work?”

The short answer: no. It’s difficult to tell what’s actually in these products, and some can even have dangerous side effects. While it’s tempting to think you could cure your erectile dysfunction (ED) with an inexpensive, over-the-counter product, these gas station boner pills should be avoided. When something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. 

We’ve gathered all the info you need on different types of gas station sex pills, why they’re dangerous, and better options for improving your erections. Keep reading for all you need to know.

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What are gas station sex pills?

‘Gas station sex pills’ has become a catch-all term for the many male sexual enhancement supplements often found at the check-out counter at your local gas station or convenience store. These supplements can also be found online and sometimes at larger retail stores. They generally claim to boost erections, sex drive, and stamina, and some even claim to increase penis size.

These claims can be enticing for men with ED or those just looking to enhance their sex lives. But gas station sex pills are not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and some contain illegal ingredients in unsafe doses. 

Types of gas station sex pills 

There are dozens of brands of male enhancement products on store shelves. The names are usually sexually suggestive or vague, like Extenze, Rhino 69, or VITALITY. Many are promoted as herbal or natural Viagra. Since the FDA doesn't regulate dietary supplements, it’s not clear exactly what’s in these products. Some of the top sellers usually contain one or more herbs, nutraceuticals, or vitamins.

What do gas station sex pills typically contain?

It’s important to emphasize that, since gas station sex pills are unregulated, there’s really no way to be certain what they actually contain. But here are some herbs and vitamins often listed as ingredients in these products. 

Common herbs in male enhancement pills

The following herbs are commonly listed in gas station sex pills. Some of these herbs have minimal research on their effectiveness, while others have no evidence at all. 

  • Red Korean ginseng. This root has been used as an herbal medicine to treat many different conditions, including ED. A scientific review of 24 trials found ginseng was associated with improved erectile function, though more research is needed. Some studies believe it works for ED by promoting nitric oxide production and relaxing blood vessels, which is similar to the way certain ED medications work.  

  • Tribulus terrestris. This herbal plant reportedly improves erectile function and increases libido. While it increased libido and serum testosterone in some animal studies, there was no observable increase in testosterone in human studies when it was taken alone. Another study investigating the effects on erectile function found no improvement in humans between the study group and a placebo group.

  • Horny goat weed (epimedium). There have been some studies finding that the active ingredient in horny goat weed (icariin) can improve erectile function and slow down aging in rats. That said, there haven’t been any sizable studies on how horny goat weed might impact ED in humans.  

  • Yohimbine. This ancient herb is extracted from tree bark. One review study found that it was rarely significantly better than a placebo for treating erectile dysfunction. Later research found that side effects of yohimbine can include anxiety, high blood pressure, and agitation.   

  • Maca (Lepidium meyenii). A small study of 50 men with mild ED found that treatment with this Peruvian plant resulted in a small but significant improvement in erectile function. Another study also found that it improved self-rated sexual desire in a group of 8 male cyclists. Other studies have found it does not increase sexual desire, so these effects are inconclusive, and more research is needed. 

  • Ginkgo biloba. Two randomized placebo-controlled trials have not found any benefit to sexual function with Gingko extracts. Some of the side effects reported from taking Gingko include anxiety, nausea, and headache. Of note, these trials were conducted in people who were experiencing ED as a side effect of antidepressant medications.

  • Tongkat ali (Eurycoma longifolia Jack). A review of multiple studies found that tongkat ali, a flowering plant commonly found in Indonesia and the Philippines, may have clinical effects on erectile function, but more trials are needed to confirm this. 

Nutraceuticals

In addition to herbs, some male enhancement supplement manufacturers may claim to include the following nutraceuticals (vitamins). Like the herbs often included in these pills, some of these vitamins have more research backing them than others. 

  • L-arginine. This amino acid can potentially help with ED. In one analysis  of 10 different studies, researchers found that dosages between 1,500 and 5,000 mg could offer improvements in mild to moderate ED. 

  • DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone). Your body produces this hormone naturally, but it’s also available as a supplement. One small study found that men who took a DHEA supplement experienced an improvement in their erectile function, but later scientific reviews suggest that results for this and other studies are not conclusive. It might be better to check whether you are actually deficient in DHEA with your healthcare provider before turning to a supplement.

  • B-complex vitamins. One study found that higher consumption of dietary vitamin B6, folate, and B12 was significantly linked to decreased risks of ED among young, healthy men, suggesting it can play a protective role against ED. 

  • Zinc and other trace minerals. In one study, rats treated with 5 mg per day of a zinc supplement showed better sexual function.  A previous study found that testosterone levels—which can indirectly affect erectile function—decreased significantly after 20 weeks on a low-zinc diet. 

Herbal supplements and vitamins are sold legally and generally have mild side effects, but are not regulated the same way that prescription medications are. What makes gas station sex pills so hard to navigate are the undeclared, illegal ingredients that show up in some products but are not listed on the labels.

Hidden ingredients

It’s illegal to sell prescription drugs over the counter. Despite this, every year, the FDA warns consumers about male enhancement products that contain prescription-grade Viagra (sildenafil), Cialis (tadalafil), vardenafil, and other similar drugs. 

Among the big offenders: Rhino pills. The Rhino pills brand—with names like Krazzy Rhino, Gold Rhino, or Platinum Rhino—has been a repeat offender on the FDA’s tainted sexual enhancement products listing, but this brand is not the only one putting illegal products on store shelves.

Male enhancement products are continually being confiscated for containing Viagra and other prescription-strength erectile dysfunction drugs. Those that appear on the tainted product list are also added to a larger FDA Health Fraud Product Database. It’s good to search both lists, but keep in mind that potentially dangerous products may not yet have been identified and listed.

Some sexual enhancement products reportedly contain twice the normal dose of Viagra, which can be quite dangerous. The normal starting dose of Viagra is 50 mg; more than one-third of counterfeit products analyzed in a study had 50 mg or more. This can be especially dangerous in people taking medications for their blood pressure. If they also take Viagra unknowingly, they may end up with dangerously low blood pressure. 

The FDA also warns to watch for counterfeit drugs, which are fueling the increase in tainted dietary supplements. It’s hard to figure out where these counterfeit drugs are manufactured, and they have no oversight. 

Viagra Important Safety Information: Read more about serious warnings and safety info.

Cialis Important Safety Information: Read more about serious warnings and safety info.

Do gas station sex pills work? 

Because manufacturers don’t always list ingredients and there’s no regulation on ingredient quantity, quality, and packaging, it can be hard to predict how each male enhancement product will work. 

Some of the ingredients these products do list may help with ED, namely Korean red ginseng and L-arginine. Many of the studies on these ingredients are small, though, lacking the large, randomized controlled trials needed to confirm results. Plus, since these products have no regulation, it’s unclear what you can trust. 

Some of the promising natural supplements may help boost nitric oxide or increase blood circulation, which is needed for erections. None are shown to work as well as Viagra, Cialis, or vardenafil. The over-the-counter male enhancement products containing illicit Viagra or a similar ED drug are often effective, but sometimes, these are at much higher doses than would normally be prescribed, making them a dangerous alternative to the real deal.

Are gas station sex pills safe? 

According to the FDA, male enhancement products you buy at gas stations are not safe. 

Not knowing exactly what’s in a product can lead to a lot of problems. There can be issues with quality, too much of an undeclared drug like Viagra, allergic or medical reactions, or interactions with other medications. Some male enhancement products have been found to contain heavy metals and other contaminants; others have dangerously high doses of Viagra, Cialis, or a similar drug.

Often, they just don’t work, and you just end up with a headache or stomach ache. At the other extreme, there have been cases of young men ending up in the emergency room after taking a gas station sex pill containing Viagra. Because you don’t know what you’re taking, taking gas station sex pills exposes you to numerous potential risks.

Viagra, Cialis, or vardenafil can also interact with other medications like nitrates or negatively affect men with underlying health conditions, especially if the dose is not right. This can lead to a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Other symptoms people can experience include stomach aches, headaches, chest pains, dizziness, nausea, and vision problems.

And it’s not just hidden ingredients that can cause side effects. Herbs and vitamin supplements, even if they are present in the quantities listed on the packaging, have various side effects. 

For instance, L-arginine can cause a drop in blood pressure; horny goat weed and Ginkgo Biloba can affect blood clotting, leading to a risk of bleeding especially if you are taking other blood-thinning medications; and both ginseng and yohimbine have been linked to insomnia. Some of these ingredients can be extremely dangerous in high doses. The effects of each ingredient can be different depending on any underlying medical issues or sensitivities.

Alternatives to gas station sex pills  for erectile dysfunction

If you have ED, there’s no need to turn to potentially unsafe male enhancement drugs from the gas station. There are far better—and safer!—options.  Ultimately, it’s best to talk with your healthcare provider to explore the many safe ways to enhance your sex life and avoid the gas station sex pills. 

Prescription medications

Using oral  prescription medications to manage ED is common. Most of the medications on the market are known as phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (aka PDE5 inhibitors). They work in part by increasing blood flow to the penis. None are designed to give you spontaneous or continuous erections, but they are designed to make it possible to get one when you want to. Some options you may want to explore with a healthcare provider include: 

  • Viagra. If you’ve heard of “the little blue pill,” you’re already familiar with this medication. Viagra is the branded version of sildenafil, an ED medication that should be taken 30–60 minutes before you want to have sex.  

  • Cialis. This is the branded version of tadalafil, an ED medication that can be taken either daily or as-needed. If you take it daily, you’ll be ready for sex around the clock. For as-needed use, take it 30–60 minutes before you want to have sex.

  • Vardenafil. This fast-acting oral medication can take effect in 10 minutes. However, it’s still recommended that you take it about one hour before you plan on having sex. 

  • Ro’s Daily Rise Gummies. These gummies are meant to be taken once a day, as the name suggests. They’re formulated with tadalafil, which stays in your body for more than 24 hours. That means you’re always ready for sex, whenever the moment is right. While these gummies are not FDA-approved, their active ingredient has been FDA-approved for the treatment of ED.

  • Ro Sparks. This dissolving tablet is the best of both worlds: sildenafil and tadalafil. The combo of these two medications is designed to get you hard in 15 minutes on average and keep you ready for up to 36 hours. Like Daily Rise Gummies, Ro Sparks is not an FDA-approved formulation, but its active ingredients are individually FDA-approved for ED.

It’s essential that you get ED medication from a licensed healthcare provider, as ED can be caused by other treatable medical conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, or low testosterone. You also want to ensure ED medication won’t interfere  with another medication or affect an existing health condition.

If oral medications are not working, you can ask your healthcare provider about injectable medications for ED. The advantage of injectable medications is that they do not require sexual arousal to cause an erection.

Devices or implants

Another ED treatment some people use is a penis pump, also known as a vacuum erection device. These consist of a plastic chamber and a hand- or battery-operated pump. You put your penis in the chamber, and the suction created by the pump increases blood flow to the penis, helping an erection to occur. Be careful not to use them too much, as overuse could lead to penile injury.

While it’s rarely a first-line treatment for ED, penile implants are sometimes a near-last resort to manage the condition. These are either rigid or inflatable devices that are implanted under the skin of the penis to help you achieve an erection when you want to. However, they are associated with numerous complications.  

Lifestyle changes

In addition to seeking medical treatment, you may also be able to manage ED through thoughtful lifestyle changes. Some options worth considering are: 

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Bottom line: gas station sex pills

If it seems too good to be true, it probably is, and that’s certainly the case with gas station sex pills that promise bigger, better erections without a prescription. They’re unsafe because they’re not regulated, and should be avoided. 

  • Since these products aren’t regulated by the FDA, they can contain almost anything. Some contain harmful substances or dangerously high doses of prescription medications, which can have negative health consequences if not taken under guidance from a healthcare provider. 

  • More research is needed on most herbs and vitamins in these pills. While there are some studies suggesting ingredients like horny goat weed or Red Korean ginseng can positively impact erectile function, most studies have concluded that more research is needed. 

  • There are plenty of safe and effective ways to treat ED. Gas station pills are neither safe nor proven to be effective. Prescription medications, lifestyle changes, and even penile devices have scientific backing and are safe when taken under the care of a qualified healthcare professional. 

DISCLAIMER

If you have any medical questions or concerns, please talk to your healthcare provider. The articles on Health Guide are underpinned by peer-reviewed research and information drawn from medical societies and governmental agencies. However, they are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

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