An Illinois Viagra melanoma cancer lawsuit might be an option for men who were diagnosed with melanoma after taking the prescription drug to treat erectile dysfunction. Men who use the popular “little blue pill” to treat erectile dysfunction may be at an increased risk of experiencing serious side effects and risks, including melanoma. With the help of an Illinois Viagra melanoma cancer lawyer, affected men and their families could be eligible to pursue a claim and pursue compensation for their injuries.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Illinois 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?
Viagra, the brand name for sildenafil citrate, is used to treat men who suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED). Originally developed in the early 1990s to help treat cardiovascular disease, developers working at Pfizer Inc. in Britain noticed that the drug improved a man’s ability to get and maintain an erection. In 1998, Viagra was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat ED.
Viagra works by inhibiting an enzyme called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) and increasing blood flow to the penis. Viagra works only when a man is sexually stimulated or aroused. Since the drug’s approval, it has been one of the most widely prescribed drugs for Pfizer Inc.
Viagra and Melanoma Studies
Melanoma is a fatal form of skin cancer. Although melanoma accounts for a small amount of skin cancer cases, it is responsible for the majority of fatalities. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 10,130 people will die from melanoma in 2016. Of those, an estimated 6,750 will be men.
A study published in the JAMA Internal Medicine in June 2014 discovered that drugs containing sildenafil, including Viagra, may lead to an increased risk of the development of melanoma. Researchers concluded that men who take Viagra to treat ED have an 84 percent higher chance of developing melanoma when compared to men who do not.
An additional study published in 2011 found that treatment with Viagra can possibly promote melanoma cell invasion. In the study, researchers noted that Viagra may lead to an increased risk of melanoma due to the effect that the drug has on genetic pathways that may allow skin cancers such as melanoma to become more aggressive.
Viagra Side Effects
Like many prescription medications, Viagra may cause some side effects. According to the FDA, the most common side effects of Viagra include headache, back pain, muscle pain, nausea, dizziness, abnormal vision (particularly problems with color vision), rash, and flushing.
Other Viagra Risks
Other associated risks of Viagra include:
- Prolonged, painful erection lasting longer than four hours, a condition called priapism
- Bladder pain
- Bloody or cloudy urine
- Decrease in vision or total loss of vision in one or both eyes, a condition known as non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION)
- Irregular heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Decrease in hearing, loss of hearing, or ringing in the ears
- Heart attack, stroke, and even death
Viagra Melanoma Cancer Lawsuits
The maker of Viagra, Pfizer Inc., currently faces several Viagra melanoma cancer lawsuits. Those lawsuits allege that the drug maker concealed important information related to the development of melanoma and the use of Viagra from potential users. Specifically, Pfizer Inc. failed to mention any risk for melanoma development in its commercials, online, and print advertisements.
According to lawsuits, Pfizer knew or should have known that using Viagra produced an unreasonable risk of melanoma as well as other severe and permanent personal injuries, physical pain, and mental anguish. Despite the fact that the drug maker knew or should have known of the risks associated with Viagra, they continued to negligently market and sell the medication.
How an Illinois 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.
The time you have to pursue a claim is limited. Contact us for more information.Get Help Now.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Illinois. 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.
