Does Viagra cause melanoma? Studies suggest that the drug may result in an increased risk of the skin cancer.

What is Viagra?

Viagra
(sildenafil) is a drug used to treat erectile dysfunction. The drug was first introduced as a potential treatment for heart problems, but it was later discovered not to be effective. Instead of the initially intended use, studies revealed that the drug could instead help treat erectile dysfunction.

The drug works by increasing blood flow to the penis, allowing men to sustain an erection. According to the Viagra website, the drug only works when someone is sexually stimulated. Men can take the drug up to four hours in advance and it will still be effective.

Since Viagra’s release in 1998, it has been widely consumed by the public with close to 45 million men having used the drug. Although the medication is touted as a miracle worker for erectile dysfunction, it may be associated with numerous risks. In addition to the often joked about “erection lasting more than four hours,” the drug may be associated with adverse health effects.

What Are the Side Effects of Viagra?

Typical side effects while taking Viagra may include:

• Headache
• Flushing
• Indigestion
• Nasal congestion
• Urinary tract infections (UTI)
• Dizziness
• Pain in the back
• Unusual changes to blood pressure and heart rate
• An erection lasting more than four hours which may cause permanent damage to the penis

Other side effects may include cardiovascular complications such as angina, heart rate changes, low blood pressure, heart failure and heart attack.

Although most of these symptoms are relatively unassuming, Viagra has also been linked with more serious side effects such as cancer.

Can Viagra Cause Melanoma?

In 2014, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) showed that men who took Viagra were at an increased risk of developing melanoma.

Melanoma is a dangerous form of skin cancer that kills around 9,700 Americans each year. The survival rate of melanoma is 90 percent but this plummets to 16 percent if the cancer is not caught early enough.

The JAMA study analyzed data from around 26,000 men. By examining this data, researchers uncovered that men who were taking Viagra or had previously taken the drug were 84 percent more likely to develop melanoma.

Although the researchers call for more research on the issue, they say that their results should not be discounted.

“Our results should be interpreted cautiously and are insufficient to alter current clinical recommendations,” the researchers concluded. “Nevertheless, our data provide epidemiological evidence on the possible skin adverse effect by PDE5A inhibitors and support a need for continued investigation of this relationship.”

How Can Viagra Cause Melanoma?

Although the study investigated the statistical risk of Viagra patients developing melanoma, the researchers have not made any determinations about why the link exists. The conclusion of the study only notes that there is an “association” and does not attempt to theorize why or how Viagra is associated with melanoma.

Other professionals have theorized that Viagra may use the same biological pathways that are used in the development of melanoma, but this theory is unconfirmed.

It is not clear yet whether or not Viagra actually causes melanoma, or if there is just a correlation between the two. Regardless, the relative risk after taking Viagra is low, and preventing the development of melanoma is best done by protecting your skin: use sunscreen, cover up, and pay attention to unexpected moles on your skin. Melanoma is most often able to be treated if caught early on, before it becomes far more deadly.

Filing a Viagra Melanoma Lawsuit

So far, a number of patients have already filed lawsuits against Pfizer (Viagra’s manufacturer) over the possible connection with melanoma cancer.

If you or someone you love has suffered from Viagra melanoma cancer, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Of course, filing a lawsuit cannot undo the pain and suffering caused by cancer, nor can it bring a loved one back to life, but it can at least help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses, lost wages, and more.

Pursuing litigation can be a daunting prospect for some, especially after diagnosis with a serious disease like melanoma cancer, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced pharmaceutical products liability attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.