A New York man has sued Novartis, maker of the health drink Boost Plus, saying he woke up the morning after drinking the concoction with a case of priapism — involuntary male sexual arousal — that landed him in the hospital. “The company would not comment, but its website “describes the drink as ‘a great tasting, high calorie, nutritionally complete oral supplement for people who require extra energy and protein in a limited volume,’ in vanilla, chocolate and strawberry.” Reader Michael McK. suggests that word of the lawsuit may serve to increase the drink’s sales. (“Man Sues Over Long-Lasting Erection”, AP/Breitbart, Jun. 5).
Vitamin drink said to cause priapism
A New York man has sued Novartis, maker of the health drink Boost Plus, saying he woke up the morning after drinking the concoction with a case of priapism — involuntary male sexual arousal — that landed him in the hospital. “The company would not comment, but its website “describes the drink as ‘a great […]
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It ain’t a bug, it’s a feature!
Betcha they’re all sold out.
Jeez Louise hooda thunk the the Plus part of the Boost Plus was boosting the old cannoli.
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.
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.
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.
Now that’s what I call a stiff drink!