Product News and Recalls

California Man Claims Viagra Caused Skin Cancer

viagra skin cancer lawsuit filed in californiaAnother Viagra melanoma lawsuit has been filed, this time by a California man who claims Pfizer’s drug caused skin cancer to form and spread across his upper body.

Viagra belongs to a group of drugs called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, which are intended to treat erectile dysfunction in men. Since its approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998, Viagra has been prescribed to over 35 million men worldwide and earned pharmaceutical giant Pfizer nearly $2 billion in revenue. But unbeknownst to most Viagra users, the drug has been linked to a serious type of skin cancer known as melanoma.

Viagra and other PDE5 inhibitors have been shown to promote synthesis of malignant melanoma cells. A 2014 investigation published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that patients who used Viagra were nearly twice as likely to develop melanoma. In light of this and other studies, patients who developed skin cancer after taking Viagra have stepped forward and filed Viagra melanoma lawsuits.

The California man behind the new lawsuit says he began taking Viagra in May 2007 and took it regularly until September 2013. In 2010, a biopsy on a spot on his back revealed he had melanoma. The man underwent excision surgery, but in 2014 he was again diagnosed with melanoma, this time on his chest, left arm, and right shoulder. Although these have been removed, the patient still has to be cautious and closely monitor the condition of his skin.

As in other Viagra lawsuits, the plaintiff claims that Pfizer failed to properly disclose the melanoma-related risks of Viagra. Had they done so, he and numerous other patients could have taken a lower dose or avoided the drug altogether. Instead, the company endangered patients in the interest of profits.

Speak to your doctor about any health concerns you may have. If you or someone you know was diagnosed with skin cancer after taking Viagra, you should contact the attorneys at Lopez McHugh to receive a free legal consultation. Our lawyers can help you decide if a Viagra melanoma lawsuit is right for you.