Despite the recent warning about Viagra melanoma, physicians continue to prescribe the erectile dysfunction drug to men who believe they need assistance with their libido. There are a variety of reasons for this, but it is mainly due to the fact that this Viagra skin cancer link has not been definitely proven and that conflicting results were found in the limited research on this link.

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Internal Medicine (JAMA) on April 06, 2014 highlighted the risk of Viagra skin cancer. Harvard Medical School researchers found that Viagra (sildenafil) opened up certain genetic pathways, which allowed a greater chance for melanoma to develop.

The study found that elderly men who take sildenafil were almost twice as likely to develop melanoma, compared to men who do not take the drug. After this study was published, physicians were advised to conduct skin cancer screening checks before prescribing Viagra to patients, and to only prescribe Viagra to patients who have no other treatment options.

Additionally, it was advised that any patients with a family history of skin cancer or melanoma should not be prescribed Viagra.

As straightforward as the 2014 study seemed, the confusion stems from the results of a previous Viagra study that had been conducted in 2011. In that year, scientists had suggested that Viagra could possibly be used to treat melanoma, after observing mice that had developed skin cancer similar to human melanoma.

The lead researcher, Dr. Viktor Umansky of the University Medical Centre Mannhein in Germany, had studied chronic inflammation caused by melanoma, and if it could be treated using Viagra’s active ingredient, sildenafil.

The results of this study indicated positive results. Now several years later, the company is facing Viagra melanoma lawsuits from across that country that support the 2014 study’s hypothesis, which was that Viagra caused melanoma. Essentially, these plaintiffs allege that Viagra was the direct cause of their skin cancer, and that they were provided no previous warnings by Pfizer.

Other ED Drugs Examined

Along with Viagra, other erectile dysfunction drugs like Cialis and Levitra are also being investigated for their potential link to skin cancer. These drugs were not included in the previous Viagra melanoma study because they had not been released to the market at the time.

Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer, leaving patients with life-long consequences if they are lucky enough to survive. One of the tell-tale signs of melanoma includes moles that are irregularly shaped and an unusual black or brown color, but they can also come in other colors.

While scientists are no longer claiming Viagra can help treat melanoma, they are not proclaiming that it is a definite cause either. Scientists who are doubtful of the link have reportedly pointed out the inconsistency of the findings, and state that even if there is a risk, it is most likely minimal. Overall, the medical community agrees that further investigation is required, in which the actual causation can be identified.