Viagra Lawyer
Update: Drug Lawsuit Source is no longer accepting these cases. We regret we cannot assist you. You may want to contact a law firm in your area to see if they will accept your case.
Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on March 27, 1998, Viagra (sildenafil citrate) is a prescription medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction.
Erectile dysfunction occurs when not enough blood flows to the penis, preventing an erection. It affects about 30 million men in the U.S., according to the National Institutes of Health.
Risk factors for erectile dysfunction can include age, tobacco use, being overweight, some treatments and medications (including antidepressants and high blood pressure drugs), stress and other mental health conditions and drug and alcohol use. The recommended dose of Viagra is 25-100 mg — taken 30 minutes to four hours before sexual activity.
The demand for erectile dysfunction drugs is rising due to needs of the increasing elderly population and other growing diseases including renal diseases, chronic disorders, hypertension, hormonal insufficiency, diabetes, and other neurological disorders.
Originally developed by scientists in Great Britain, Viagra was introduced to the market by Pfizer Inc., a U.S. pharmaceutical company. In its 2013 Annual Report, Pfizer stated worldwide sales of Viagra exceeded $1.8 billion.
By revenue, Viagra was valued at $4.3 billion in 2012, and accounted for the largest share of the total erectile dysfunction drug market with approximately 45 percent. Its primary competitors are tadalafil (Cialis) and vardenafil (Levitra).
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved the first-ever generic version of Viagra in March 2016. Teva, a Pennsylvania-based pharmaceutical drug manufacturer, reportedly said the drug will go on sale December 11, 2017.
Contact a Viagra lawyer if you have suffered adverse health effects from this drug.
Does Viagra Cause Melanoma Skin Cancer?
A 2014 medical study linked Viagra to an increased risk of melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer. The drug’s label fails to warn about this potential side effect, which can lead to a Viagra lawsuit with the help of an attorney.
Of the men who never used Viagra, 4.3 out of every 1,000 developed melanoma. Of the men who reported using Viagra, 8.6 men out of every 1,000 developed melanoma — an 84% increase.
According to these results of the study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Internal Medicine, Viagra may have nearly doubled melanoma risk in an estimated 45 million men who opted to take the controversial drug since its launch on the market in 1998. The study reportedly showed that among 25,848 participants there was a “significantly elevated risk of invasive melanoma.”
Melanoma Skin Cancer Symptoms
Melanoma can initially develop anywhere in you body but most often develop in an area that has received the most sun exposure – back, legs, arms and face. Although more common for those with darker skin, melanoma can also develop in areas protected from sun exposure including the soles of the feet, palms of the hands, and fingernail beds.
Symptoms are not always identifiable when melanoma is in its early stages of development. Undetected melanoma typically develops in an existing mole, skin mark, or may appear to be a bruise that isn’t healing. More noticeable symptoms that may develop early on include a melanoma that is sore, itchy, or bleeding. Some have even reported cases of a brown or black streak developing under a finger or toenail.
According to WebMD, while men are more susceptible to melanoma in the upper back, women routinely find it developing on their legs. As men grow older, melanoma of the neck, scalp, and ears becomes more common.
The danger posed by Viagra caused melanoma in men varies depending on the stage in which the cancer was initially discovered.
The Journal of the American Medical Association editor and Northwestern University Dermatologist Dr. June Robinson offered the following statistics regarding the lethality of melanoma in the most common stages of when discovered:
Melanoma Stage | 5-Year Survival Rate |
Stage 0 | 99% |
Stage II B | 57% |
Stage IV | 15 – 20% |
These statistics raise alarms when investigating the connection between Viagra and melanoma, as there are only treatments for melanoma, no cures.
With the FDA not yet issuing safety communications warning consumers about Viagra melanoma risks, millions of consumers who may be at risk are not taking proactive steps to ensure early detection if melanoma is in initial stages of development.
Once discovered, treatments for melanoma carry various severe health complications. While the complications differ depending on the specific patient, they can include:
- Pain
- Scarring
- Lymphedema
- Infection
- Fatigue
- Nausea/vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
Not only is melanoma dangerous medically, but it also carries financial dangers for its victims.
Typical melanoma cancer treatment teams are comprised of four different type of doctors. Maintaining an extensive medical team and missing work for treatments can create major financial dangers for those already suffering from the physical effects of melanoma.
With the dangers of Viagra caused melanoma being all-encompassing, those who believe they may be suffering from initial stages of melanoma due to taking Viagra should immediately contact a medical professional to begin the treatment process.
Information on Viagra Lawsuits
A preliminary study indicates the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra (sildenafil) may increase the risk of developing melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.
The study, published in the JAMA Internal Medicine journal, analyzed data from nearly 26,000 men, 6 percent of whom had taken Viagra.
The men who used Viagra at some point in their lives had about double the risk of developing melanoma compared to men who had never taken the drug. Men who were currently taking Viagra were at an 84 percent greater risk of developing melanoma.
Our lawyers are currently looking at cases involving men who are taking or have taken Viagra and were diagnosed with melanoma.
Current Lawsuits
There are currently 30-plus recognized federal lawsuits filed against Pfizer around the nation, including 28 in federal courts in 13 states, according to AL.com. There also are three cases filed in state courts in Missouri, Arizona and Connecticut.
These lawsuits all make similar claims regarding Pfizer’s design, manufacture, sale, testing, marketing, advertising, promotion, and distribution of Viagra.
FDA Recall Status
While lawsuits have been filed against Pfizer Inc. alleging a failure to adequately test and warn consumers of the dangers of Viagra caused melanoma, the FDA has yet to issue any statements regarding the possible connection.
However, they have issued a warning letter to Pfizer concerning their failure to disclose all health risks associated with taking Viagra.
A recall does not seem likely in the immediate future, but lawsuits against Pfizer Inc. will persist with the goal to recover damages incurred due to the development of Viagra related melanoma.
Retain an Attorney for a Viagra Lawsuit
Our Viagra lawyers can help if you or someone you care about was diagnosed with melanoma as a result of ingesting Viagra. Lawsuits have been filed against the drug manufacturer for failure to adequately research Viagra or warn about the risk of health problems.
The requirements for filing a lawsuit against Pfizer Inc., the drug manufacturer of Viagra, include:
- Must be male.
- Must have been diagnosed with melanoma within one year of last usage of Viagra
- Must have taken Viagra for at least three months prior to being diagnosed.
- Diagnosis was made on or after January 1, 1998.
Both patients and their families are seeking compensation for injuries. You may be entitled to a settlement if you were harmed by this controversial dug.
Pfizer, Inc., the manufacturer of Viagra, is currently facing a product liability lawsuit filed by multiple plaintiffs. The lawsuits all make similar claims regarding Pfizer’s design, manufacture, sale, testing, marketing, advertising, promotion, and distribution of Viagra. As a result, the plaintiff(s) is seeking judgment against Pfizer, Inc. for compensation, which includes:
- Costs of lawsuit incurred
- Compensatory and general damages
- Punitive damages
- Special and incidental damages, including medical expenses and lost wages
- Loss of enjoyment of life, pain and suffering, and disability
- Wrongful death damages, if person died due to this dangerous drug