A Kansas Viagra melanoma cancer lawsuit may be an option for men who were diagnosed with melanoma after taking the medication to treat erectile dysfunction. Viagra, one of the most widely prescribed medications used to treat erectile dysfunction, has been allegedly linked to an increased risk of melanoma. Affected men and their families could be eligible to file a lawsuit and recover compensation for their injuries with the help of a Kansas Viagra melanoma cancer lawyer.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Kansas 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 was first approved in 1998 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED), the inability for a man to maintain an erection sufficient enough for sexual activity. The active ingredient in Viagra, sildenafil citrate, is a compound that works by inhibiting the breakdown of enzymes that leads to a loss of blood flow to tissues in the penis.
Viagra was originally conceived as treatment for hypertension and cardiovascular disease, however, volunteers in the clinical trials reported increased erections several days after taking the drug. Within a year of the drug’s approval, sales from the drug exceeded $1 billion. Although the drug does not have an effect on men who do not suffer from ED, some men have used the drug recreationally.
Viagra Side Effects
The most common side effects of Viagra include:
- Headache
- Flushing
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
- Abnormal vision
- Nasal congestion
- Back pain
- Muscle pain
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Rash
Viagra and Melanoma
In 2014, researchers noted a possible connection between the use of Viagra and an increased risk of developing melanoma. The study, published in the JAMA Internal Medicine, found that Viagra users may be at an 84 percent increased risk of suffering from melanoma compared to men who have not or do not take the medication. In the study, researchers reviewed nearly 26,000 men and found that sildenafil citrate, the active ingredient in Viagra, appears to lower levels of PDE5, which could potentially increase the invasiveness of melanoma.
Other Viagra Risks
In post-marketing surveillance, serious cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and vascular events have been reported to occur during or shortly after sexual activity. Most, however, of these patients had preexisting cardiovascular risk factors. Cases of sudden hearing decrease or loss of hearing have been reported with the use of PDE5 inhibitors such as Viagra.
Likewise, a sudden decrease or loss of vision has been reported as well. Rarely, a condition known as non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) has been reported in men who have taken Viagra to treat ED. Men who experience prolonged erections lasting for more than four hours should report their condition to their doctor or health care provider as soon as possible. This condition, known as priapism, can lead to permanent erectile dysfunction if not treated properly.
Viagra Melanoma Cancer Lawsuits
Pfizer, Inc., the maker of Viagra, currently faces several Viagra melanoma cancer lawsuits claiming that the company failed to warn its customers, the public, and the medical community about the risks associated with the medication and the potential for an increased risk of developing melanoma.
A Viagra melanoma cancer lawsuit filed in May 2016 in Northern California claims that Pfizer knew as early as 1998 that there were people who dropped out of clinical studies due to the development of carcinoma, including melanoma, after taking Viagra as part of the study. The lawsuit further alleges that additional studies have linked the use of Viagra to the creation of melanin-producing cells which may lead to the development of melanoma.
How a Kansas 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 Today.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Kansas. 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.
