A Massachusetts Viagra melanoma cancer lawyer may be able to assist men who were diagnosed with skin cancer after taking the drug. The little blue pill has become synonymous with relationship quality for many American men. Viagra, also known as sildenafil, has grown significantly in popularity over the past several years as couples have turned to it as a treatment option for erectile dysfunction. However, some men claim that they developed skin cancer after taking the prescription drug to treat erectile dysfunction. Affected men and their families are seeking compensation for injuries and death with the help of a Massachusetts Viagra melanoma cancer lawyer.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Massachusetts. We offer free, confidential, no obligation consultations. We can help answer your questions, and if you choose to pursue a case we can connect you with an affiliated Massachusetts Viagra melanoma cancer lawyer who can assist you throughout the legal process.
What is Viagra and How Does It Work?
When men are unable to obtain or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse, they may turn to Viagra for help. According to the Mayo Clinic, the drug works by blocking the enzyme phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE5). PDE5 destroys another enzyme, cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), which allows for the flow of blood into the penis. When cGMP is destroyed too quickly, an erection may not be able to persist. Viagra controls PDE5 and keeps it from working too quickly in men with erectile dysfunction.
Sildenafil was first tested for use in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, as it works to relax the blood vessels and reduce the amount of work the heart has to put forth to pump blood, thanks to the same PDE5 enzyme.
Viagra and Melanoma
A 2014 study published by researchers in JAMA Internal Medicine suggests a possible link between the development of melanoma and Viagra use. According to the study, men who used Viagra over a 10-year period were 84 percent more likely to develop melanoma than those men who did not use the drug. The researchers looked at a group of men between 2000 and 2010, collecting data on instances of skin cancer during the period.
An additional study, published in Cell Reports in 2016, found that the inhibitor that makes Viagra effective in treating erectile dysfunction may promote the growth of melanoma cells in the body, further suggesting that there is a potential link between the use of the drug and the development of melanoma.
The FDA’s Response
Currently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not required Pfizer, the drug’s manufacturer, to update its warning and labeling information for Viagra to include the risk of skin cancer. Since its approval by the FDA in 1998, Viagra’s labeling has been updated to include side effects such as sudden hearing loss and vision problems. Patients have reported the loss of vision in one or both eyes, which could be caused by non-arterial anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. Additionally, dizziness, ringing in the ears or loss of hearing has been reported.
Viagra Melanoma Cancer Lawsuits Filed
In 2015, an Illinois woman filed a suit on behalf of her late husband, claiming that his death was caused by regular use of Viagra. The man was prescribed the drug in 2007 to treat erectile dysfunction, and he died just eight years later of a pulmonary embolism caused by melanoma that had metastasized throughout his body. The plaintiff and her lawyers allege that Pfizer violated consumer protection laws by neglecting to inform the public of the increased risk of skin cancer while using the drug, claiming that her husband would have stopped taking the prescription had he known of the risk.
Additionally, two men in Alabama filed a lawsuit in 2016 against Pfizer, both claiming that the company’s promotion, marketing and distribution of the drug were negligent and did not disclose any risk of melanoma development in those taking it. These two cases join over 30 others that have been filed federally across the country.
How a Massachusetts 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 File a Claim is Limited. Contact Us Today.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Massachusetts. 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.
