A Washington Viagra melanoma cancer lawyer can help men who were diagnosed with skin cancer after taking the drug. Lawsuits allege a link between the widely prescribed erectile dysfunction medication and the development of melanoma, which is an invasive and often fatal form of skin cancer. Affected men and their families are seeking compensation for injuries and death with the help of Washington Viagra attorneys.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Washington 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?
Viagra is a medication that is known generically as sildenafil and is prescribed as a treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED) in men, according to the Mayo Clinic. Men with ED are often unable to gain or maintain an erection necessary for a satisfactory sexual experience. Sildenafil is a type of drug known as a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor.
This class of medications prevent the enzyme called phosphodiesterase type-5. During normal sexual arousal, chemicals are released in the genital area that cause increased blood flow. Phosphodiesterase type-5 breaks down those chemicals, but Viagra works to prevent the enzyme from working, allowing a man with ED to have a normal sexual response.
Sildenafil was originally developed to treat heart disease and high blood pressure, as phosphodiesterase type-5 promotes the dilation of blood vessels, the Mayo Clinic states. During clinical trials, it was discovered that patients with cardiovascular conditions were experiencing erections while using the drug. In 1998, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave Pfizer the approval to promote the use of Viagra as a drug to treat ED.
Complications Linked to Viagra
According to Viagra’s official website, there are several possible side effects that can result from taking the drug. These may include the sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes that can signal non-arterial anterior ischemic optic neuropathy; priapism, or an erection lasting more than four hours that can lead to long-term damage if not treated quickly; or ringing in the ears, dizziness or sudden hearing loss. Less serious side effects that have been commonly reported include flushing of the upper torso or face, headache, nausea or upset stomach, and back or muscle pain.
Additionally, those with certain health conditions are encouraged to avoid the drug. For instance, patients suffering from chest pain or pulmonary hypertension can have very serious adverse reactions to the drug, including a dangerous drop in one’s blood pressure. This can result in a heart attack in patients taking nitrates. Priapism can also occur, which involves a prolonged and painful erection lasting for longer than four hours.
Viagra and Melanoma
In June 2014, a group of researchers published a study in JAMA Internal Medicine that found a connection between Viagra use and an increased risk of melanoma. The study followed a group of over 25,000 men during a 10-year period, beginning with a questionnaire in which they were interviewed about their sun exposure, genetic predisposition to skin cancer, how often they used Viagra and their sexual well-being. Between 2000 and 2010, the researchers kept track of any incidences of skin cancer in the men and found 142 occurrences of melanoma. It was determined that the men who took Viagra were at an 84 percent higher risk of developing melanoma than men who did not use the drug.
How a Washington 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 Viagra 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 Washington. 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.
