An Alabama Viagra melanoma cancer lawyer can help men who were diagnosed with the deadly form of skin cancer after taking the medication. Viagra is one of the most recognizable drugs in the world, however, lawsuits allege a link between the drug and the development of melanoma, an invasive and often fatal form of skin cancer. Affected patients and their families may be eligible to file a lawsuit and recover compensation for their injuries with the help of an Alabama Viagra melanoma cancer lawyer.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Alabama today. Our consultations are free, confidential and without any obligation on your part. We can help answer your questions, and if you choose to pursue a claim we can connect you with an affiliated Viagra melanoma cancer lawyer who can assist you throughout the legal process.
What is Viagra?
Viagra is prescription medication used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) and pulmonary arterial hypertension. The drug was originally developed in Great Britain to treat high blood pressure, however, it was discovered that the drug induced penile erections. Since its approval in 1998, Viagra has been one of the most talked about pharmaceutical drugs to hit the market.
Viagra Side Effects
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the most common side effects of Viagra include:
- Headache
- Flushing
- Upset stomach
- Abnormal vision
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Back pain
- Muscle pain
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Rash
Viagra and Melanoma
In addition to common side effects of Viagra, the medication has been linked to melanoma, a form of cancer that develops in the cells responsible for producing melanin known as melanocytes. Melanoma usually forms in the skin, however, it can occur in the eyes, mouth, or intestines. According to the American Cancer Society, over 10,000 people are expected to die from melanoma in 2016.
A study published in 2014 concluded that sildenafil (Viagra) use may be associated with an increased risk of developing melanoma. Beginning in 2000, researchers followed a cohort of about 26,000 men who took the medication to treat their ED. Over the course of the next decade, researchers traced incidents of skin cancers via self-reported questionnaires. Data gathered showed that the active ingredient in Viagra, sildenafil, may increase the risk of developing melanoma by as much as 84 percent in men who took Viagra as opposed to men who did not.
Other Viagra Risks
According to the FDA, other risks associated with the use of Viagra to treat erectile dysfunction include:
- Priapism, or an erection that lasts more than four hours or will not go away
- Sudden vision loss in one or both eyes known as non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION)
- Sudden hearing decrease or hearing loss
Sexual activity may put a strain on the heart, especially if the user experiences heart problems. Medical attention should be sought immediately if the user experiences severe dizziness; fainting; chest, jaw, or left arm pain; or nausea while having sex.
Viagra Melanoma Cancer Lawsuits
Several Viagra melanoma cancer lawsuits have been filed, including a lawsuit filed in California in March 2016. The lawsuit alleges that, while designing and formulating Viagra, Pfizer, Inc. (manufacturer of the drug) discovered or should have discovered that the drug’s mechanism of action presented a significant risk of aggravating melanoma.
Although Pfizer was aware of these findings, including studies linking the drug to a potential increased risk of melanoma, the drug maker made no efforts in its advertisements to warn users about the potential increased risk of developing melanoma.
As a result of Pfizer’s negligence and wrongful conduct, the lawsuit alleges that the plaintiff suffered severe and permanent and physical and emotional injuries. The plaintiff’s injuries included melanoma as well as multiple surgeries, resulting in physical pain and economic loss due to significant expenses for medical care and treatment.
How an Alabama Viagra Melanoma Cancer Lawyer Can Help
Drug makers have a duty to provide safe products. If there are risks of harm associated with their products, they also must provide adequate warnings. If a drug maker fails to fulfill this duty, it could be held liable in lawsuits for injuries that may result.
People injured by bad drugs may be eligible to recover money for:
- Medical Expenses
- Lost Wages
- Pain and Suffering
The families of those who have died may be eligible to recover money for funeral expenses and the pain that comes with losing a loved one.
The Time You Have to Pursue a Claim is Limited. Contact Us Today.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Alabama. You can fill out the form on this page or contact us by phone or email.
After you contact us, an attorney will follow up to answer questions that you might have. There is no cost or obligation to speak with us, and any information you provide will be kept confidential.
Please note that the law limits the time you have to pursue a claim or file a lawsuit for an injury. If you think you have a case, you should not delay taking action.
