An Ohio Viagra melanoma cancer lawyer may be able to help men who were diagnosed with melanoma after taking the medication to treat erectile dysfunction. Viagra, also known as sildenafil citrate, is used to treat erectile dysfunction. Although the drug has been a popular form of treatment for many years, it has been linked to serious side effects and risks, including an increased risk of developing melanoma, a potentially deadly form of skin cancer. Affected men and their families could be eligible to pursue a claim with the help of an Ohio Viagra melanoma cancer lawyer and seek compensation for their injuries.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Ohio 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 is a well-known drug whose active ingredient, sildenafil citrate, is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. Viagra works by inhibiting PDE5, an enzyme that controls the flow of blood to tissues in the penis. Originally developed to treat high blood pressure, Viagra was found to have an impact on treating ED during clinical trials. Since its approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998, Viagra has been one of the most widely prescribed drugs to treat ED in the United States.
Viagra Side Effects
Like many prescription medications, Viagra may cause some patients to experience some side effects when taken to treat ED. Those side effects may include:
- Muscle pain or aches
- Headaches
- Flushing in the face, neck, or chest
- Indigestion
- Back pain
- Nasal congestion
Viagra and Melanoma Studies
According to lawsuits filed in California, New York, and South Dakota, several studies have linked the use of Viagra to cell mutation and the creation of melanocytes, which develop into melanoma.
A study published in 2011 found that treatment with sildenafil (Viagra) could possibly promote melanoma cell invasion due to the drug’s ability to downregulate PDE5. Researchers note that, by inhibiting PDE5, Viagra mimics the effect of gene activation and could possibly function as a trigger for the creation of melanoma cells. Likewise, in a study published in the Journal of Cellular Biochemistry, researchers found that PDE5 inhibitors, including sildenafil, potentially led increased melanin synthesis which may contribute to melanoma expansion.
In June 2014, a study was published in the JAMA Internal Medicine seeking to examine a potential relationship between Viagra use and the development of melanoma in men in the United States. Among nearly 26,000 participants, the study reported that men who had recently used Viagra to treat ED showed an 84 percent increase in the risk of developing melanoma.
Other Viagra Risks
In addition to common side effects of Viagra, the medication has also been associated with some rare but very serious side effects and risks. Those risks include:
- Priapism, a condition characterized by an erection lasting more than four hours
- Unstable or irregular heartbeats
- Seizures or other epileptic reactions
- Sudden death due to heart attack
- Decrease in vision or loss of vision in one or both eyes
- Decrease in hearing or ringing in the ears
Viagra Melanoma Cancer Lawsuits
Viagra melanoma cancer lawsuits have already been filed in California, New York, and South Dakota. In April 2016, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation issued a transfer order and the consolidation of related Viagra cases into the Northern District of California. According to the transfer order, consolidation and centralization will be convenient for the parties involved and promote efficient conduct of the litigation.
Lawsuits involved in the consolidated litigation share factual questions and medical studies pertaining to the use of Viagra and the increased risk of melanoma and that the drug maker, Pfizer Inc., failed to warn consumers, plaintiffs, and the medical community of the alleged risks.
How an Ohio 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 Ohio. 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.
