An Iowa Viagra melanoma cancer lawyer may be able to help men who were diagnosed with melanoma after taking the medication to treat erectile dysfunction. Despite the popularity of Viagra, the prescription medication has been linked to serious side effects and risks, including melanoma. Affected men and their families could be eligible to pursue a claim with the help of an Iowa Viagra melanoma cancer lawyer and seek compensation for their injuries.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Iowa 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 is a well-known drug whose active ingredient, sildenafil citrate, is used to treat impotence and erectile dysfunction (ED) and works by blocking the enzyme that controls the flow of blood to tissues in the penis. The drug was originally developed to treat high blood pressure, however, it was found to have an impact on treating ED during clinical trials. Since its approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998, Viagra has been one of the most widely used drugs to treat ED in the United States.
Viagra Side Effects
Like many prescription medications, Viagra may cause some patients to experience certain side effects when taken to treat ED. Those side effects may include:
- Muscle pain or aches
- Headaches
- Flushing in the face, neck, or chest
- Indigestion
- Back pain
- Nasal congestion
Viagra and Melanoma Studies
Although melanoma makes up less than two percent of skin cancer diagnoses in the U.S. each year, it is responsible for a large portion of the reported skin cancer fatalities. According to the American Cancer Society, over 10,000 Americans are expected to die from melanoma in 2016.
According to a study published by the JAMA Internal Medicine, men who used Viagra were almost twice as likely to develop melanoma as opposed to those who did not. Researchers interviewed almost 26,000 men and, from 2000 to 2010, found more than 3,500 cases of skin cancer, including 142 cases of melanoma. After considering other factors, researchers determined that men who take Viagra have an 84 percent higher chance of developing melanoma.
Although the study does not prove that Viagra causes melanoma, it does suggest the need for further studies to determine a relationship in light of the information provided in the study.
Lawsuits in California and other districts across the United States point to other studies, including a study published in 2011 that found that treatment with Viagra can promote cell invasion.
Other Viagra Risks
In addition to common side effects and risks linking the drug to and increased risk in melanoma, Viagra has been associated with other serious risks that may call for medical attention. Those risks include:
- Bladder pain or pain with urination
- Irregular heartbeat
- Prolonged erection lasting for more than four hours
- Sudden decrease in vision in one or both eyes
- Sudden decrease in hearing or complete loss of hearing
- Shortness of breath
Viagra Melanoma Cancer Lawsuits
Viagra melanoma cancer lawsuits have been filed against the maker of the drug, Pfizer, Inc. Lawsuits filed in early 2016 allege that, despite studies linking the use of Viagra to the development of melanoma, the drug maker made no effort to warn users about those potential risks. According to the lawsuits, Pfizer has continued to engage in an expensive and aggressive advertising campaign although they knew about or should have known about the drug’s relationship to an increased risk of developing melanoma.
Lawsuits further claim that Pfizer purposefully downplayed, understated, and outright ignored the melanoma-related health hazards and risks related to the use of Viagra. Had patients, including the plaintiff, known about the risks involved, they would have sought another medication used to treat ED.
How an Iowa 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 Iowa. 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.
