A Michigan Viagra melanoma cancer lawyer can help men who were diagnosed with skin cancer after taking the drug. Lawsuits allege a link between the widely prescribed erectile dysfunction medication and the development of melanoma, which is an invasive and often fatal form of skin cancer. Affected men and their families are seeking compensation for injuries and death with the help of Michigan Viagra attorneys.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Michigan 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.
How Does Viagra Work?
As described by the Mayo Clinic, erectile dysfunction is characterized by a repeated difficulty to achieve and maintain an erection. Erectile dysfunction can also be linked with serious health conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, alcohol abuse, prostate cancer and diabetes.
Medications are a common treatment of erectile dysfunction. Viagra (also known as sildenafil) is a popular remedy that aims to impede a certain enzyme that can impact blood flow to the genital area. According to MedicineNet.com, Viagra works by inhibiting phosphodiesterase-5, which can stop the production of cyclic guanosine monophosphate. Cyclic guanosine monophosphate is integral to the process of sexual stimulation, as this enzyme governs the amount of blood that flows to and from the penis. Without proper blood flow, men will find it increasingly difficult to take part in normal sexual intercourse.
Viagra and Melanoma
Despite Viagra’s apparent success in treating erectile disorder in many patients, some men have developed melanoma, a very serious cancer of the skin, following their use of the medication. The Skin Cancer foundation described melanoma as the deadliest form of skin cancer one can develop due to its ability to easily spread to other parts of the body. In 2016 alone approximately 76,380 of those afflicted with skin cancer will experience invasive melanomas.
In most cases, melanoma will present as moles or growths on the skin. The disease occurs in stages, with 0 being the least severe and IV encompassing cases where the cancer has spread and metastasized within other areas of the body. The spread of melanoma can be classed as distant or local, which occurs when the disease has reached the final stage. A distant spreading of cancerous cells occurs via the bloodstream of by way of vessels within the lymph nodes themselves, and internal organs can also be affected if treatment is not sought in a timely manner.
Other Complications Linked to Viagra
Along with the potential link to melanoma, Viagra is also associated with a number of other complications. According to Pfizer’s product brochure, those taking Viagra may experience:
- Indigestion
- Skin rash
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Problems with vision
- Congestion
- Muscle pain
Additionally, those with certain health conditions are encouraged to avoid the drug. For instance, patients suffering from chest pain or pulmonary hypertension can have very serious adverse reactions to the drug, including a dangerous drop in one’s blood pressure. This can result in a heart attack in patients taking nitrates. Priapism can also occur, which involves a prolonged and painful erection lasting for longer than four hours.
Viagra Melanoma Cancer Research
Recent research has highlighted the possible link between Viagra and increased rates of melanoma. Medscape reports on the data, which shows inhibition of phosphodiesterase 5A can lead to melanin synthesis in some. For carriers of a particular gene, the chance of melanoma cell invasion is even greater.
While many in the health care community call for further research, this study shows that those taking Viagra had to two times the risk of developing melanoma when compared to non-users. Although federal action has yet to be taken, doctors encourage those taking the drug to undergo routine skin cancer screenings in order to catch the disease as early as possible.
How a Michigan Viagra Melanoma Cancer Lawyer Can Help
When patients suffer from severe side effects from a dangerous or defective drug, they may be entitled to compensation for their injuries and damages. The types of losses that can be recovered include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of an ability to work; and
- Pain and suffering
If a person dies from complications caused by a defective drug, family members may be able to recover damages for the wrongful death of their loved one, including:
- Funeral expenses
- Medical expenses prior to death
- Loss of economic support; and
- Loss of companionship
If the conduct of a drug company in manufacturing and selling drug is found to be highly reckless, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the company and deter similar conduct in the future.
Affected men and their families are encouraged to speak to a Michigan Viagra melanoma cancer lawyer to learn more about their rights and remedies.
The Time to Pursue a Claim is Limited. Contact Us Today.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Michigan. You can fill out the form on this page, call us at the number listed at the top of the page, or email us at info@attorneygroup.com.
When you contact us, an attorney will follow up with you to speak with you about your case or 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.
See our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information, and contact Attorney Group for Michigan today.
