A new Viagra lawsuit alleges that Pfizer, the pharmaceutical manufacturer of Viagra, failed to adequately warn consumers and the medical community about the dangerous increased risk of developing melanoma skin cancer. The Viagra lawsuit was brought by Michael G., a Texas resident.

Michael began taking Viagra in April of 2011 to treat erectile dysfunction. While using the medication Michael developed strange lesions on both his scalp and neck, his Viagra lawsuit alleges.

Michael had the lesions biopsied in May of 2013. Unfortunately for Michael the biopsy showed signs of melanoma. In order to safely remove the lesions, Michael had to undergo invasive surgery that left him with permanent scars.  Michael will have to spend the rest of his life monitoring his body for signs that the melanoma skin cancer has returned, according to his Viagra lawsuit. Michael is seeking compensatory and punitive damages.

Overview of Viagra

Viagra, generically known as sildenafil citrate, entered the market in 1998. It quickly became one of the most recognized drugs on the market. Over the years, millions of men have used the medication to treat erectile dysfunction. In 2013 Pfizer reported $1.8 billion dollars in revenue from Viagra’s worldwide sales.

The Viagra melanoma lawsuits allege that the pharmaceutical manufacturer knew or should have known that using Viagra may increase the risk of developing melanoma. A 2011 study published in Cancer Cell, a respected medical journal, warned that Viagra may decrease the body’s ability to resist the spread of melanoma cells. According to the study, Viagra mimics the effects of gene activation.

Some scientists believe the drug has the ability to trigger the creation of melanoma cells. Another study by medical researchers at Harvard Medical School, published in the medical journal JAMA Internal Medicine, found that men using Viagra were 84 percent more likely to develop melanoma than those not taking the erectile dysfunction drug.

What is Melanoma?

Melanoma is a rare but deadly form of skin cancer. Each year it is estimated that 69,000 cases of melanoma are diagnosed in the United States. The cancer causes over 8,600 deaths annually. Melanoma develops when DNA damage to skin cells trigger mutations that cause the skin cells to quickly multiply and form malignant tumors. Like many cancers, if melanoma is caught in its early stages it is often curable, but once the cancer has spread beyond the skin to the other organs treatment becomes much more difficult.

Viagra Skin Cancer Lawsuits

The Viagra lawsuits generally allege that Pfizer violated consumer protection laws. The lawsuits bring claims for negligence, fraud and misrepresentation, breach of warranty, and strict products liability. Plaintiffs in the Viagra lawsuits are usually victims who personally experienced the dangerous risks associated with using the medication, but sometimes family members bring the lawsuits on behalf of victims who have died due to the cancer. Awards and settlements from these lawsuits will help victims pay past and future medical bills as well as compensate victims for their pain and suffering.

The Viagra Lawsuit is Case No. 1:15-cv-03350-AT, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.