A Louisiana couple has filed a Viagra melanoma lawsuit, claiming that the popular erectile dysfunction medication placed the plaintiff at a high risk for developing the deadliest form of skin cancer. Plaintiffs Charles and Cindy C. allege that Charles’ use of the medication led to melanoma, requiring invasive surgery that left Charles permanently scarred.

The Viagra Melanoma lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, claims that defendant Pfizer aggressively marketed Viagra without fully disclosing the significant risks of developing melanoma.

How Does Viagra Work?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Viagra in 1998 for use by men who are unable to get or maintain an erection. Erections involve the brain, nerves, hormones and blood vessels; if any of these do not function properly erectile dysfunction may be diagnosed.

Viagra was designed to relax smooth muscle cells allowing arteries in the penis to dilate, therefore allowing blood to flow more easily. However, studies show that while the medication helps alleviate symptoms of erectile dysfunction, Viagra may also cause the development of melanoma cells.

A report by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that out of nearly 26,000 study participants, Viagra users increased their risk of developing melanoma by 84 percent.

An estimated 30 million men suffer from erectile dysfunction in the United States alone, and Viagra is prescribed for the condition nearly 50 percent of the time.

Skin Cancer Symptoms

An estimated 76,000 new cases of melanoma were diagnosed in the U.S. in 2014. While early detection is key to better survival rates, many of the early stages of melanoma contain no symptoms other than moles that itch or feel painful.

As melanoma skin cancer develops it can grow from one-millimeter to more than four-millimeters thick, and eventually spreads to lymph nodes or internal organs. Individuals who perform a skin self check have a better chance at early detection.

Viagra lawsuit plaintiff Charles noticed a suspicious skin lesion on his forehead and went to his physician for a biopsy. The report concluded Charles had developed malignant melanoma, which according to the American Cancer Society is responsible for nearly 10,000 deaths in the U.S. each year.

Charles claims that had he known of Viagra’s melanoma risks, he would have either severely limited taking the medication or would have avoided it entirely.

Viagra Melanoma Lawsuits   

The Viagra lawsuit filed by Charles claims the drug manufacturer, Pfizer, “knew of the significant risks of developing melanoma caused by ingesting Viagra,” yet the company failed to warn consumers of the drug’s side effects.

Plaintiffs like Charles believe Pfizer did not do adequate clinical testing to determine the actual health risks of taking the erectile dysfunction medication.

Charles is seeking more than $75,000 in damages for current and future medical expenses related to his melanoma diagnosis, as well as the physical pain and suffering he’s endured.

If you have been diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer after taking Viagra you may have a legal claim.