A North Carolina Viagra melanoma cancer lawyer may be able to help men who were diagnosed with melanoma after taking the medication to treat erectile dysfunction. Viagra melanoma cancer lawsuits claim that there is a link between the popular medication and the increased risk of melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer. Affected men and their families could be eligible to pursue a claim and recover compensation for their injuries with the help of a North Carolina Viagra melanoma cancer lawyer.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for North Carolina 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, also known as sildenafil citrate, is most often prescribed to treat symptoms associated with erectile dysfunction (ED), a medical condition in which a man cannot get and keep an erection and remain sexually aroused. Viagra works by preventing certain enzymes in the tissues of the penis from being released too rapidly.
In some cases, Viagra may be prescribed to treat a condition known as pulmonary arterial hypertension, a form of high blood pressure that affects the arteries in the lungs and heart. Both men and women may be prescribed sildenafil for this purpose.
Viagra Side Effects
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prescription information, the most common side effects of Viagra include:
- Abnormal vision such as changes in color vision
- Upset stomach
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Muscle pain
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Flushing
- Nausea
Viagra and Melanoma
According to the National Cancer Institute, melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. Additionally, the American Cancer Society states that over 10,000 people will die from melanoma in 2016. Of those, over 6,000 will be men.
Researchers have sought to evaluate a potential association between Viagra use and the risk of melanoma among men from the United States. In 2014, a study was published in the JAMA Internal Medicine based on participants in the Health Professionals’ Follow-up Study who were questioned regarding the use of Viagra for ED. A total of 25,848 men were evaluated over a ten-year period using self-reported questionnaires biennially.
Results of the study indicated that over 3,500 cases of skin cancer were identified, including 142 cases of melanoma. Although the study was not sufficient enough to alter clinical recommendations, researchers have suggested that further studies should be conducted to determine a causal relationship between the use of Viagra and the development of melanoma.
Other Viagra Risks
According to FDA prescribing information, Viagra may cause other serious side effects. Rarely reported side effects include:
- Priapism, a condition in which an erection lasts longer for more than four hours
- Sudden vision loss in one or both eyes, potentially a sign of a serious problem known as non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION)
- Sudden decrease in hearing or loss of hearing
- Heart attack, stroke, irregular heartbeats, and possibly death
Viagra Melanoma Cancer Lawsuits
Multiple Viagra melanoma cancer lawsuits have been filed against the maker of the medication, Pfizer Inc. In April 2016, plaintiffs of seven actions moved to centralize litigation in the Northern District of California. These actions share factual questions arising out of the allegation that Viagra causes or increases the risk of developing melanoma. Additionally, the actions also claim that the defendant failed to warn consumers and health care providers of the alleged risks associated with the prescription medication.
Lawsuits further allege that, as a direct result of the drug maker’s negligence and wrongful conduct, and the unreasonably dangerous and defective characteristics of the drug, plaintiffs suffered severe and permanent physical and emotional injuries. Those injuries include the development of melanoma as well as physical pain, emotional suffering, and economic loss.
How a North Carolina 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 North Carolina. 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.
