Viagra Melanoma: The Unforeseen Side Effect

With just about any drug out there, you are bound to hear about side effects. Sometimes the side effects are certain, while other times they are not. Once in a while, those small side effects can turn into huge risks, which is the case for Viagra Skin Cancer Diagnosis.

The possibility of skin cancer associated with Viagra was raised in an article published in a scholarly journal in 2011. “Hard Times for Oncogenic BRAF- Expressing Melanoma Cells.”  The magazine, Cancer Cell, suggested that malignant cutaneous melanoma progression occurred in about 20% of the cases. This progressed to an aggressive metastasizing form of the disease with poor patient survival rates.

Another study done by Marais and colleagues continued the discussion about the possibility and potentiality of sildenafil melanoma. At the same time, they found no reports linking sildenafil (Viagra) to an increased risk of melanoma metastasis.

Along came another study in June of 2014 published in JAMA Internal Medicine. They suggested Viagra users were 84% more likely to develop sildenafil melanoma over a 10-year period, which is a 20% increase of the risk four years prior.

This study looked at 26,000 men; those who had taken Viagra, about 6% of the total, presented with double the risk of Viagra melanoma over those who didn’t take the drug at all. The study added fuel to the fire and further broadens concerns over Viagra side effects that can also include anterior ischemic optic neuropathy.

Although there is a risk of an erection lasting too long, or one that refuses to abate, the longer-term Viagra side effects such as the potential for a skin cancer diagnosis has began to fuel Viagra lawsuits.

For its part, Pfizer Inc. stands by its stance that it has not identified safety concern or an association involving Viagra melanoma. However, the legal industry and consumers will continue to watch with interest.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with skin cancer as a result of taking the Pfizer drug, Viagra, you have rights. At The Balkin & Mausner, we help you fight for your rights to get you the compensation you deserve. Don’t be a silent victim. Contact us here or call us at 1-800-THE-BULL for more information. We’re here for you.