There Is An Apparent Melanoma Skin Cancer Link For Each Of These ED Drugs Given How PDE5 Inhibition Augments Tumor Cell Invasiveness

 

(Posted by Tom Lamb at DrugInjuryWatch.com)

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UPDATE: IN RE: Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate) and Cialis (Tadalafil) Products Liability Litigation, MDL-2691 —  As of the first part of January 2017 there were 263 Viagra and Cialis cases filed according to the document "MDL Statistics Report – Distribution of Pending MDL Dockets by District — Report Date: 1/17/2017", issued by the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation.

(2/16/17)

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Viagra (sildenafil) was the first drug prescribed for male erectile dysfunction (ED) associated with an increased risk for malignant melanoma, starting back in 2014.

In the past year there have been medical articles published suggesting that the four other brand name ED drugs which are phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors — Cialis (tadalafil), Levitra (vardenafil), Staxyn (vardenafil), and Stendra (avanafil) — are associated with an increased risk of melanoma skin cancer, too. Essentially, the active ingredients sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, and avanafil which are found in these drugs act by inhibiting the phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5). In turn, PDE5 inhibition augments tumor cell invasiveness, which promotes the development of malignant melanoma.

As regards drug injury lawsuits concerning this melanoma side effect of ED drugs, that litigation began with Viagra cases being filed against Pfizer, the drug company responsible for Viagra. By April 2016 there was a sufficient federal court Viagra lawsuits filed that the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) decided to create the so-called Viagra MDL, known fully as IN RE: VIAGRA (SILDENAFIL CITRATE) PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION — MDL No. 2691. This federal court consolidation of Viagra lawsuits was assigned to Judge Richard Seeborg, of the Northern District of California. To date, more than 200 Viagra cases are pending before Judge Seeborg in San Francisco related to individuals being diagnosed with melanoma after using Viagra.

Not unexpectedly, the filing of Viagra lawsuits has been followed by the filing of Cialis lawsuits on behalf of men who have developed malignant melanoma, some of whom have died, unfortunately.

 

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In September 2016 the plaintiffs in some of those federal court Cialis cases asked the JPML to add their lawsuits to the Viagra MDL for various reasons, including the need for judicial economy, consistency in rulings, and the commonality among the Viagra and Cialis melanoma claims. That motion for what would then be a Viagra – Cialis MDL is currently pending.

Next, it is likely that there will be Levitra – melanoma lawsuits filed in the next few months. And, further, once the number of Levitra cases filed in federal court reaches a certain level, one anticipates a motion filed with the JPML requesting that those melanoma cases get added to an expanded federal court Viagra MDL.

For a brief history of how this melanoma drug injury litigation has developed, starting with the medical literature, here is a list of some of our past articles:

• Viagra / Cialis / Levitra – Melanoma: July 2016 Medical / Legal Update
• Melanoma Skin Cancer Side Effect Linked To Viagra / Cialis / Levitra
• Viagra – Melanoma MDL Motion For Federal Court Lawsuits Against Pfizer
• Cialis / Levitra / Viagra – Melanoma: Possible Drug Safety Issue Was Raised And Left Open In A 2011 Medical Journal Article
• The Link Between Popular Erectile Dysfunction (ED) Drug Viagra And Melanoma Has A Potential Molecular Basis According To Medical Expert Who Reviewed Recent Study
• Viagra May Increase Risk Of Melanoma In Men Who Have Used This ED Drug, According To An April 2014 Medical Journal Article

At the present time there are five ED pills in the phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors class of drugs: Viagra; Cialis; Levitra; Staxyn; and, Stendra.

In addition, Cialis is prescribed sometimes when doctors see the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Two other PDE5 inhibitors are Revatio (sildenafil) and Adcirca (tadalafil). These drugs are prescribed for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

We are currently investigating cases of melanoma in men who used Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, Staxyn, or Stendra, as well as men and women who used Revatio or Adcirca. These cases are possible drug injury lawsuits against the responsible pharmaceutical companies, not the prescribing doctors.

DrugInjuryLaw.com: Medical & Legal Information About Drug Side Effects  (All website content by attorney Tom Lamb)

Drug Injury Case Evaluation - Free. Confidential. No Obligation.  (Case review done by attorney Tom Lamb)