Thornton Law Firm represents individuals who have developed Viagra-related melanoma. Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer.  If you have developed melanoma after/while taking Viagra, call Thornton Law Firm today – many legal time limits apply to your claim and your ability get full compensation for your injury.  Thornton Law Firm is New England’s oldest and largest plaintiff firm, representing thousands of clients injured by defective drugs and medical devices.  Call 1-888-341-1405 today for a free consultation or contact us online.

A recent study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that men who had used Viagra at any time had nearly twice the risk of developing melanoma after adjusting for other risk factors (hazard ratio 1.92, 95% CI, 1.14-3.22). Men who had recently used Viagra had a similar increased risk of developing melanoma (hazard ratio 1.84, 95% CI, 1.04-3.22). Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can be fatal if not found in its early stages.

In its initial approval by the FDA in March 1998, the manufacturer, Pfizer, promoted Viagra as a treatment for erectile dysfunction and as a treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension under the name Revatio®. The FDA has never approved a generic version of Viagra to treat erectile dysfunction.

Viagra is part of a class of drugs called PDE5 inhibitors, along with Cialis® (tadalafil) and Levitra® (vardenafil). These medications treat erectile dysfunction by increasing blood flow to the penis. According to the manufacturer, Viagra is meant to be taken 30 minutes before sexual activity and lasts up to four hours.

The recent study in JAMA, Sildenafil Use and Increased Risk of Incident Melanoma in U.S. Men, is a prospective cohort study in which researchers analyzed a total of 25,848 men. The researchers found that men who used Viagra to treat erectile dysfunction had almost twice the risk for developing melanoma when compared to men who had not used Viagra, even after controlling for confounding factors such as family history of melanoma, sun exposure behavior and UV index in the state of residence. Researchers believe that Viagra’s inhibition of PDE5 may increase melanoma cell invasion.

We Are Here To Help

If you or a loved one developed melanoma after using Viagra, please call our Viagra skin cancer attorneys at 1-888-341-1405 or tell us your story here. All consultations are free and confidential. Time limits are very short for filing legal claims; do not delay seeking legal advice.