New Viagra Lawsuit Alleges Sildenafil Caused Viagra Skin Cancer Diagnosis

Los Angeles, CAWith a number of Viagra Skin Cancer Diagnosis lawsuits already percolating around the country, yet another Viagra lawsuit was filed in late October alleging a diagnosis of Viagra melanoma was associated with the plaintiff’s long-term use of Viagra (sildenafil) for erectile dysfunction.

The plaintiff in the case is Amador Herrara (Herrara v. Pfizer Inc., case number 3:15-cv-04888, in the US District Court for the Northern District of California). In court documents, Herrara claims that he was prescribed Viagra for erectile dysfunction and used sildenafil regularly. Five years later, a doctor noted a large, discolored patch of skin on his shoulder. Two biopsies confirmed a diagnosis of melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. He was treated for the melanoma, but was also told he needs to be vigilant in monitoring his skin for further signs of the serious skin disease going forward.

According to court documents, sildenafil inhibits the secretion of a specific enzyme that is known to prevent erections in men. Various studies, published in 2011 through 2014, have identified an outcome that can result in the creation of melanoma cells when the identified enzymes are blocked.

Herrara claims he wasn’t aware of the risks associated with sildenafil melanoma, which for him outweighs the benefits of reversing erectile dysfunction. To that end, unware of the association between Viagra and the Viagra side effects that include the potential for skin cancer, he continued taking Viagra for two additional years following his Viagra skin cancer diagnosis and treatment before learning of the potential association.

“Despite these significant findings, Pfizer has made no efforts in its ubiquitous Viagra advertisements to warn users about the potential risk of developing melanoma that has been scientifically linked to its drug,” the lawsuit claims.

Herrara alleges the manufacturer of Viagra - the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer - violated California law governing competition and product liability by failing to properly and adequately publicize the risks of Viagra melanoma and the association to sildenafil melanoma in both advertisements to consumers, as well as to physicians.

“No individual prescribed to use Viagra would believe or be expected to know that his use of Viagra would expose him to an increased risk of developing melanoma or exacerbating the growth of melanocytes [skin cancer cells] already present in his body,” the lawsuit alleges.

Some studies suggest that the association between Viagra and melanoma is more of a lifestyle issue, noting that men who can afford to take Viagra regularly will also be inclined to spend more time in the sun during frequent vacations. However, the most recent study published in 2014 and cited by the Viagra lawsuit filed by Herrara looked at some 26,000 US males who use Viagra and found that melanoma risk for recent users increased by a staggering 84 percent, when compared against non-users.

Herrara’s legal team typifies melanoma as a terrible injury, and is taking the plaintiff’s lawsuit very seriously.

The California Viagra lawsuit was filed October 23.