A Tennessee Viagra melanoma cancer lawsuit may be an option for men who have been diagnosed with melanoma after taking the medication to treat erectile dysfunction. Viagra, one of the most widely recognized brand name prescription medications used to treat erectile dysfunction, has been linked to an increased risk of developing melanoma. Affected men and their families could be eligible to pursue a claim with the help of a Tennessee Viagra melanoma cancer lawyer and seek compensation for their injuries.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Tennessee 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?
Millions of men suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED), the inability for a man to achieve and maintain an erection suitable for sexual activity. Viagra, also known as sildenafil citrate, is a popular prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998 to treat ED.
When a man is sexually aroused, Viagra works by increasing blood flow to the penis to help a man get and maintain an erection. While individual results vary, Viagra is designed to help men with all degrees of ED.
Viagra Side Effects
Common side effects of Viagra include headache, dizziness, back pain, indigestion, nasal congestion or runny nose, temporary redness of the face and neck, muscle pain, and nausea.
Viagra and Melanoma
According to the American Cancer Society, melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer. Likewise, according to the National Cancer Institute, melanoma is more likely to spread to other parts of the body than other forms of skin cancer, potentially causing additional tissue damage and complicating treatment.
In a study published in the JAMA Internal Medicine, researchers found an association between PDE5 inhibitors such as Viagra and a risk of subsequent melanoma. The study found that men who take or have taken Viagra to treat ED are almost twice as likely to develop melanoma as men who do not or have not taken the medication. Researchers followed 25,848 male health care professionals across the United States between 2000 and 2010. Results of the study indicate that the use of Viagra could potentially increase a man’s risk of developing melanoma by as much as 84 percent.
Other Viagra Risks
According to prescribing information issued by the FDA, Viagra can cause serious side effects and risks. Rarely reported side effects include:
- An erection that will not go away or lasting for longer than four hours
- Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes, a potential sign of a serious problem known as non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION)
- Sudden decrease or loss of hearing, possibly accompanied by ringing in the ears or dizziness
- Heart attack, stroke, irregular heartbeats, and possibly death
Viagra Melanoma Cancer Lawsuits
Several Viagra melanoma cancer lawsuits have been filed against the maker of Viagra, Pfizer Inc. Lawsuits allege that Pfizer Inc. knew or should have known about the significant risks of developing melanoma associated with the use of Viagra, but did not adequately warn consumers, the plaintiff, or the medical community.
According to a lawsuit filed in May 2016 in the state of California, the drug maker:
- Continued to sell, manufacture, and promote Viagra without adequately warning of the serious risks associated with the drug
- Failed to provide adequate training, information, or education to physicians and consumers about those serious risks and about the precautions necessary to avoid such serious health risks
- Represented to physicians, the plaintiff, and the public that the drug was safe although it could potentially lead to the development of melanoma
- Knowingly withheld and/or misrepresented information concerning the serious health risks of Viagra
How a Tennessee 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 Tennessee. 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.
