A New York Viagra melanoma cancer lawsuit may be an option for men who were diagnosed with melanoma after taking the drug. Viagra, the brand name for sildenafil citrate, is an oral prescription medication most often used to treat men who suffer from erectile dysfunction. Although Viagra is one of the most popular forms of treatment in the world, the drug has been allegedly linked to an increased risk of melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer. Affected patients and their families may be eligible to file a lawsuit and seek compensation for their injuries with the help of a New York Viagra melanoma cancer lawyer.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for New York 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 treats erectile dysfunction (ED), a condition in which a man is unable to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient enough for sexual activity. Viagra works by inhibiting the secretion of an enzyme known as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) and allowing muscles in the penis to relax and produce an erection.
The maker of Viagra, Pfizer Inc., estimates that the drug has been prescribed to more than 35 million men worldwide, and in 2012 alone, physicians wrote approximately eight million prescriptions for Viagra.
Viagra Side Effects
Like most prescription medications, Viagra may cause some side effects. These effects are typically mild and usually last only a few hours. The most common side effects of Viagra include:
- Headaches
- Flushing of the face
- Upset stomach
- Temporary changes in color vision, light sensitivity, or blurred vision
Viagra and Melanoma
According to the American Cancer Society, melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer and is more dangerous because it’s much more likely to spread to other parts of the body if it is not caught early. About 10,130 people are expected to die of melanoma in 2016. Of those, about 6,750 are expected to be men.
According to a study published in the JAMA Internal Medicine, men who used Viagra were 84 percent more likely to develop melanoma than those who did not. The study looked at 25,848 men from 2000 to 2010 who had been enrolled in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study.
Based on the results of the study, researchers noted that participants reported over 3,500 cases of skin cancer, including 142 cases of melanoma. Data suggested that there was a two-fold risk of developing melanoma in Viagra users, however, there did not appear to be a relationship between Viagra and an increased risk of other skin cancers.
Other Viagra Risks
In rare cases, men taking PDE5 inhibitors such as Viagra reported a sudden decrease or loss in vision in one or both eyes, a condition known as non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).
Men who have taken Viagra have also reported an erection lasting longer than four hours. This condition, known as priapism, may result in permanent erectile dysfunction if left untreated.
Sudden loss or decrease in hearing has also been reported in men who have taken the medication, in rare instances. Patients who experience any of these symptoms are advised to stop taking Viagra and contact their doctor or health professional immediately.
Viagra Melanoma Cancer Lawsuits
A Viagra melanoma cancer lawsuit has been filed in the state of New York. The lawsuit alleges that Pfizer Inc. failed to conduct adequate pre-clinical and clinical testing and post-marketing monitoring to determine the safety and health risks of Viagra. Likewise, the lawsuit claims that the drug maker knew of the significant risks of developing melanoma possibly linked to the use of Viagra, but did not adequately warn consumers, the plaintiff, and the medical community of such risks.
How a New York 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 New York. 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.
