Malaysian-made instant coffee mix contains prescription erectile dysfunction drug

The product, Kopi Penumbuk, was advertised in a Malay-language Facebook post shared on March 6, 2025. 

The instant coffee mix is purportedly able to enhance male sexual performance as well as help with erectile dysfunction, while being "guaranteed safe". Users are encouraged to place an order through a WhatsApp link.

Sachets of Kopi Penumbuk are shown in a graphic attached to the post.

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Screenshot of the false Facebook post, captured on March 12, 2025

Similar posts advertising Kopi Penumbuk were also shared elsewhere on Facebook and TikTok, as well as by users listed as based in Singapore and Brunei.

"Already ordered, it's really powerful," read a comment on one of the posts.

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA), however, has warned the product contains a "potent prescription medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction" and advised consumers against buying or using it.

Adulterated product

The SFA said on March 10 that it had detected tadalafil in Kopi Penumbuk, and had worked with e-commerce platforms to remove listings and warn against the sale of the Malaysian-made product (archived link).

"Tadalafil is a prescription medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction and should only be given under medical supervision," the SFA said.

The watchdog added that inappropriate use is "dangerous and can increase the risk of serious adverse effects including heart attack, stroke, headache, migraine, irregular heart rate and priapism (painful and exceedingly long erections)".

The SFA also said consuming tadalafil can pose a serious risk to individuals with heart-related problems, and cause "potentially life-threatening low blood pressure in those who are on heart medications, especially those containing nitrates".

It said people who have purchased the product should not consume it, and anyone who has consumed it and has concerns about their health should seek medical advice.

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Screenshot comparison of the product shown in the false posts (left) and an image attached to the SFA's advisory (right)

AFP previously debunked a similar claim about an instant coffee mix that was falsely advertised as comprising only "coffee with selected and high-quality herbs" that in fact also contained tadalafil.

Dr Christopher Ho Chee Kong, a urologist and professor at Taylor's University in Malaysia, told AFP at the time that unknowingly consuming coffee mixed with erectile dysfunction drugs could cause several adverse effects.

"Those with severe heart failure also may experience worsening of their condition. There are also other side effects like headache, back pain and visual disturbance," he said on September 2, 2024.

He warned that there are "a lot of products out there not sanctioned (but) containing dangerous drugs", and consumers need to be vigilant and seek proper treatment from medical professionals.