A man who bought herbal remedies for impotence on the internet is being treated in hospital for arsenic poisoning , it has emerged . Detectives found high levels of the poison in the man 's blood after he was admitted to Leeds General Infirmary . Suspicions arose after the man revealed he was taking three types of herbal tablets for erectile dysfunction . He told medics he had bought the brown , silver and red tablets on the internet . Police today warned people to be aware of the dangers of purchasing drugs and remedies online . A man has been taken to hospital after suffering arsenic poisoning from herbal erectile dysfunction remedies he purchased on the internet . Police officers in Yorkshire are investigating after it emerged the man had been taken three different medicines in the form of brown , silver and red tablets ( file picture ) Detective Chief Inspector Lisa Atkinson , from West Yorkshire Police , said : 'Officers are currently conducting enquiries around the supplier of these tablets and that work is ongoing . 'We have recovered a number of the tablets and they have been sent for forensic analysis which will take some weeks to complete . 'Based on what the man involved has told u , s we suspect the tablets may have been the source of the arsenic he has consumed . 'On that basis we are making people aware of the potential risk to their health of consuming similar tablets bought on the internet . 'While it is expected that he will make a full recovery we are told this is unusual for the level of arsenic in his system and that consequences could have been far more serious . ' Experts have , in the past , warned of the dangers of buying medicines over the internet , including erectile dysfunction drugs . Many sites are known to sell fake , sub-standard or even dangerous medicines . More than £10 million is thought to be spent online by more than 300,000 men in the UK , believing they are buying the erectile dysfunction drug , Viagra . An estimated two million Britons regularly buy medicines , including prescription drugs and those not available on the NHS , over the internet for a range of conditions . Drugs companies have warned of the dangers of buying Viagra , pictured , and other erectile dysfunction remedies on the internet , with some counterfeit medicines containing blue printer ink , toxic ingredients and powerful antibiotics that can cause an allergic reaction , diarrhoea or vomiting . The pharmaceutical company Pfizer , who manufacture Viagra , warns on its website of the dangers of buying counterfeit medications . It warns that fake Viagra has been found to contain blue printer ink , amphetamines or speed , and a powerful antibiotic that can cause an allergic reaction , diarrohea or vomiting . In addition , too much of the active ingredient has been found in some fake drugs , causing potential harm , and binding agents including drywall that prevent the tablet breaking down in the body . Other counterfeit medication that claims to help combat erectile dysfunction has been found to contain toxic ingredients including boric acid , floor wax , brick dust and road paint . Traces of ingredients that can have dangerous interaction with other medications people may be taking have also been found , as well as completely different medication with potentially harmful side effects .
was taken to the General Infirmary when he fell ill after taking tablets . previously he had been taking three herbal tablets for erectile dysfunction . Police are doctors who supplied the tablets and warned of the dangers of prescription drugs and herbal remedies on the internet .