A Tennessee man recently filed a lawsuit against Pfizer, alleging that the pharmaceutical giant’s Viagra medication caused serious complications including Viagra melanoma cancer.

According to the Viagra lawsuit, Plaintiff Michael B. began taking Viagra to treat erectile dysfunction in July 2009. This treatment continued until March 2013, when he switched to a different drug, Cialis, at the direction of his physician.

On January 15, 2015, Michael underwent a biopsy on his jawline. The pathology report on January 20 confirmed diagnosis of invasive melanoma cancer. Just over a week later, on January 29, Michael underwent surgery to remove the melanoma.

Since his diagnosis, Michael has had to be extremely cautious, checking his skin for any unusual signs that may indicate further melanoma symptoms. Michael also goes in for routine checkups.

According to the Michael’s lawsuit, Viagra side effects include a risk of melanoma linked with certain erectile dysfunction drugs, and Pfizer was aware of this risk.

Had Pfizer adequately warned the public and the medical community about the risk of Viagra side effects including melanoma, Michael claims he could have avoided the risk entirely by not taking the drug and finding a safer alternative.

The Viagra lawsuit lists Michael’s alleged injuries, including melanoma cancer and surgery. The lawsuit also claims that Michael suffered emotional pain from this diagnosis and surgery as well, and now suffers from economic loss incurred by medical bills and other expenses.

Viagra Background

Viagra (sildenafil citrate) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998. Viagra is popularly used to treat erectile dysfunction, which may affect up to 30 million men in the U.S., according to a report from the National Institutes of Health.

Viagra is the most popular erectile dysfunction drug by far, and accounts for around 45 percent of the U.S. market for erectile dysfunction drugs.

Recent studies have shown that erectile dysfunction drugs like Viagra may be linked with the development or exacerbation of melanoma. While the exact function of these drugs in inducing Viagra melanoma risk is unclear, the connection has been found in multiple studies and reports.

A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that Viagra users are up to 84 percent more likely to develop melanoma than others.

What is Viagra Melanoma?

The three major types of skin cancer are basal cell, squamous cell, and melanoma. While basal cell and squamous cell are far more common than melanoma, melanoma is so aggressive that is actually the leading cause of skin cancer death.

Filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering of Viagra melanoma, but it can help to compensate for financial expenses incurred by medical bills and lost wages.

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with Viagra melanoma skin cancer after using either Viagra or a similar erectile dysfunction drug, you may be able to file a lawsuit.

The Viagra Melanoma Lawsuit is Case No. 3:16-cv-01100, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee.