Gas station erectile dysfunction (ED) pills claim to boost your libido and temporarily help your sexual performance. However, these medications can cause serious side effects and may not be safe.
Medically reviewed by Alisha D. Sellers, BS Pharmacy, PharmD
When you enter gas stations, you may notice a selection of pills claiming to boost your sexual performance or increase your penis size. These drugs are usually on display near the gas station counter, and you can buy them without a prescription.
Gas station pills may even claim to treat ED. However, taking these medications without consulting a doctor first could cause severe side effects. This is especially true for people with specific health conditions, like high blood pressure or other cardiovascular conditions.
It’s important to explore whether these pills are safe and to know the alternative home remedies and supplements that may help you with ED.
What are gas station ED pills?
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Gas station ED pills, also known as rhino pills, are over-the-counter (OTC) male sexual enhancement supplements. You can often find them at a gas station counter, and they do not require a doctor’s prescription.
These products contain a combination of active ingredients that claim to enhance your stamina, increase your sex drive, and boost your erection, making it harder for longer.
These ED pills are usually sold as supplements and also claim they can boost your sexual performance, making you last longer in bed and even increase the size of your penis. However, little evidence scientific and medical evidence supports these claims.
What are their ingredients likely to include?
Rhino pills typically contain a mixture of active ingredients that can stimulate blood pressure and heart rate while increasing the blood flow in your penis. Some ingredients contained in these pills include:
zinc gluconate
Oryza sativa (rice) panicle exsertion
white willow bark
black pepper
horny goat weed
rauwolfia serpentina
a proprietary blend of undisclosed active ingredients
These pills may even contain the active ingredients of prescription-only drugs like tadalafil (Viagra) or sildenafil (Cialis). Taking these supplements without speaking to a doctor first can cause severe health complications.
A 2020 case report stated that certain rhino pills can contain up to 200 times the standard dose of medications used to treat ED. This extreme dosage can cause serious cardiac events even in people with no underlying conditions and who have no prior experience of any cardiovascular symptoms.
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There are some home remedies and supplements that you can try for ED. However, it’s important to discuss all intended treatments with a doctor or healthcare professional.
Lifestyle
If you experience sexual dysfunction, specific lifestyle changes may help. For example:
losing weight (if you want to) or maintaining a moderate weight
quitting smoking (if you smoke)
exercising regularly (if you can)
managing stress and anxiety
reducing alcohol consumption (if you drink)
avoiding recreational or illegal drug use
Medical devices
Using a penis pump to improve the blood flow in your penis and placing an elastic ring around the base of the penis may help get and keep an erection.
However, ED generally involves both physical and psychological challenges. If you have ED, speaking with a doctor or having counseling may help improve your symptoms.
Before starting any new ED treatment, always speak with a doctor or healthcare professional. This is because ED supplements may contain undisclosed ingredients.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements, including those for ED, in the same way as it does with prescription and other OTC medications.
As they are not regulated, they may be unsafe and contain undisclosed and potentially toxic ingredients.
FDA-approved ED treatments
The medical treatment for ED can vary depending on its causes. The FDA approves several medications called phosphodiesterase (PDE5) inhibitors, and these include:
If ED develops due to an underlying condition, like depression or high blood pressure, doctors may prescribe medications to treat this, along with PDE5 inhibitors.
Testosterone
If the reason for your ED is low testosterone levels, doctors may recommend testosterone therapy.
Testosterone therapy drugs come in the form of:
transdermal patches
intranasal gels to pump in the nostrils
oral tablets
under dermal implants, such as pellets containing the drugs
injections
Doctors typically prescribe testosterone therapy alongside PDE5 inhibitors to boost testosterone levels further. However, testosterone therapy does not always treat ED if you have it on its own.
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If you experience sexual dysfunction, like ED, difficulties ejaculating, or decreased libido, speak with a healthcare professional. They can perform relevant tests to check whether there are any underlying causes and recommend the most appropriate treatments.
You should immediately contact a doctor or the emergency services if you take a rhino pill or other gas station ED pill and you experience any serious side effects, like chest tightness or pain, or difficulty breathing. This could indicate a serious heart condition and may need urgent care.
Summary
Gas station ED pills, or rhino pills, are supplements that claim to treat ED, boost erection and penis size, and increase stamina, making erections last longer.
These pills are not FDA-approved and do not undergo strict research and trial protocols before becoming available to buy.
ED pills found in gas stations may also contain high quantities of sildenafil (Viagra) or tadalafil (Cialis), or other potentially toxic ingredients. This can cause severe side effects and, in some cases, trigger life threatening cardiac events.
Always speak with a healthcare professional before taking any OTC supplement or alternative treatment, as they can offer the best advice for your health and well-being.
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