A Colorado Viagra melanoma cancer lawsuit may be an option for men who were diagnosed with melanoma after taking the drug. Viagra, one of the most popular drugs to treat men with erectile dysfunction in the United States, has been linked to melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer. Affected patients and their families may be eligible to file a lawsuit and seek compensation for their injuries with the help of a Colorado Viagra melanoma cancer lawyer.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Colorado 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 and How Does It Work?
Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in March 1998, Viagra, also known as sildenafil citrate, is used primarily to treat men with erectile dysfunction (ED). Pfizer, Inc., the maker of Viagra, has also marketed sildenafil under the brand name Revatio as a treatment for pulmonary hypertension.
Viagra belongs to a class of drugs called PDE5 inhibitors, which works by increasing the amount of blood flow to the penis. Viagra works only when the user is sexually stimulated and should only be taken when needed.
Viagra Side Effects
According to FDA labeling information, Viagra may cause a number of side effects. Serious side effects associated with the use of Viagra include:
- Priapism, or an erection lasting longer than four hours
- Sudden vision loss in one or both eyes, possibly leading to a serious eye problem known as non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION)
- Sudden hearing decrease, hearing loss, ringing in the ear (tinnitus), or dizziness
Likewise, Viagra may cause the following common side effects to occur:
- Flushing
- Back pain
- Rash
- Abnormal vision
- Nausea
- Headache
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Dizziness
- Upset stomach
- Muscle pain
Viagra and Melanoma
A study involving almost 26,000 men who had previously participated in a Health Professional’s Follow-up Study has indicated a potential link between Viagra and an increased risk in developing melanoma. In 2000, researchers interviewed these men about certain risk factors such as genetic skin cancer, eye and hair color, history of moles, history of sun exposure, and their use of Viagra.
Over the course of the following decade, the men who participated in the study were asked to fill out a questionnaire regarding any forms of cancer they may have developed. According to the data, researchers concluded that Viagra users were twice as likely to develop melanoma than those who did not use the prescription medication.
Additionally, a California melanoma cancer lawsuit notes a study published in 2011 that found that treatment with Viagra can possibly promote melanoma cell invasion. By inhibiting the PDE5 enzyme, Viagra mimics an effect of gene activation and therefore may potentially function as a trigger for the creation of melanoma cells.
Viagra Melanoma Cancer Lawsuits
Viagra melanoma cancer lawsuits have been filed, including a lawsuit filed in South Dakota in December 2015. According to the lawsuit, the plaintiff was prescribed and used Viagra from approximately 2009 to 2012. In 2012, the plaintiff was diagnosed with melanoma and died from metastatic melanoma in December 2012.
In addition to a number of other claims, the lawsuit alleges that Pfizer, Inc., the maker of Viagra, knowingly made false claims about the safety and quality of the medication in the documents and marketing materials provided to the FDA, physicians, and general public. Further, the lawsuit claims that Pfizer, Inc. fraudulently concealed the defective nature of the Viagra from the plaintiff and his physicians, specifically regarding the increased risk of melanoma and potential death.
According to the lawsuit, had the plaintiff known about the risks and dangers associated with Viagra, they would have not taken the medication and would not have been subject to the drug’s serious side effects.
How a Colorado Viagra Melanoma Cancer Lawsuit 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.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Colorado. 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.
