An Oklahoma Viagra melanoma cancer lawsuit may be an option for men who were diagnosed with melanoma after taking the medication to treat erectile dysfunction. Viagra is one of the most popular drugs prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction, however, the maker of the drug is alleged to have failed to warn consumers and the medical community of an increased risk for developing melanoma. Affected patients and their families may be eligible to pursue a claim and seek compensation for their injuries with the help of an Oklahoma Viagra melanoma cancer lawyer.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Oklahoma 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?
Since its approval in 1998, Viagra has been used by millions of men to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). Viagra belongs to a group of drugs known as PDE5 inhibitors, which work by inhibiting enzymes that allow men to get and keep erections.
Viagra holds approximately 45 percent of the U.S. market share for medications used to treat ED, according to an article published on CNN.com in 2013. Pfizer Inc., the maker of Viagra, estimates that more than 35 million men worldwide have been prescribed Viagra to treat ED.
Viagra and Melanoma
Melanoma is a serious and sometimes deadly form of skin cancer. If not treated early enough, melanoma may spread rapidly to other parts of the body.
According to a study published in the JAMA Internal Medicine in June 2014, men who use Viagra to treat ED may be more likely to develop melanoma than men who do not take the medication. The study, using data from 25,848 participants over a ten-year period, suggests that Viagra users may face up to an 84 percent increased risk of developing melanoma. According to the study, there were over 3,500 cases of skin cancer reported between 2000 and 2010, including 142 reported cases of melanoma. Based on the results of the study, researchers indicated that Viagra use may significantly contribute to the increased risk of melanoma.
Additionally, a study published in the medical journal Cancer Cell found that the use of Viagra to treat ED may promote melanoma cell invasion. The study discovered that, by blocking PDE5, Viagra imitates an effect of gene activation and, as a result, may function as a trigger for the creation of melanoma cells.
Viagra Side Effects
The most commonly reported side effects of Viagra include:
- Headache
- Flushing of the face
- Upset stomach
- Nasal congestion or runny nose
- Vision problems, including light sensitivity, blurred vision, and change in color vision
- Urinary tract infection
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
Other Viagra Risks
Serious side effects and risks associated with the use of Viagra include:
- A painful or prolonged erection that lasts for more than four hours, a potentially permanently damaging condition known as priapism
- A severe drop in blood pressure due to the use of nitrates along with Viagra
- Decreased vision or complete loss of vision in one or both eyes
- Decreased hearing, loss of hearing, or ringing in the ears
Viagra Melanoma Cancer Lawsuits
According to a Viagra melanoma cancer lawsuit filed in South Dakota in December 2015, Pfizer Inc. made no attempt to warn users about the alleged risks linking the potential development of melanoma and the use of the medication. The lawsuit alleges that Pfizer Inc. purposefully downplayed, understated, and ignored the melanoma-related health hazards and risks related to Viagra.
Had the plaintiff known of the possible risk of developing melanoma associated with Viagra, according to the lawsuit, the plaintiff would not have taken Viagra and would not have been subjected to its serious side effects. As a result, the plaintiff claims to have suffered severe and permanent physical and emotional injuries.
How an Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma. 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.
