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According to an April 2014 medical journal article, Viagra (sildenafil), the most popular and well-known drug prescribed for male erectile dysfunction (ED), appears to increase the risk for malignant melanoma — but not other skin cancers like cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas nor basal cell carcinomas.
The four other brand name ED drugs that are phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, Cialis (tadalafil), Levitra (vardenafil), Staxyn (vardenafil), and Stendra (avanafil) are probably associated with an increased risk of melanoma skin cancer, too.
Cialis is also prescribed sometimes when doctors see the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Two other phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors are Revatio (sildenafil) and Adcirca (tadalafil). These drugs are prescribed for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).
Essentially, the active ingredients sildenafil, tadalifil, vardenafil, and avanafil which are found in these ED, BPH, and PAH drugs act by inhibiting the phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5). Experimental in vitro studies show that PDE5 inhibition augments tumor cell invasiveness. In turn, this effect seems related to an apparent melanoma skin cancer side effect for all of the brand name drugs with these active ingredients:
- Sildenafil: Viagra and Revatio
- Tadalafil: Cialis and Adcirca
- Vardenafil: Levitra and Staxyn
- Avanafil: Stendra
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, as possible drug injury lawsuits against the responsible pharmaceutical companies.
Most Recent Article About These Drugs
2017 Medical Articles: Association Of Melanoma With Viagra And Cialis
The five brand name erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs in the phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors class are Viagra (sildenafil), Cialis (tadalafil), Levitra (vardenafil), Staxyn (vardenafil), and Stendra (avanafil).
Cialis is also prescribed sometimes when doctors see the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Two other PDE-5 inhibitors, Revatio (sildenafil) and Adcirca (tadalafil), are prescribed for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).
There have been a few medical journal articles published in 2017 regarding the safety issue of whether drugs like Viagra and Cialis might cause or promote skin cancer, especially melanoma, which can be fatal.
To read more of this article, click below:
Data on the association between using PDE5 inhibitors and malignant melanoma are conflicting…. Findings from this systematic review support that PDE5 inhibitor use is associated with increased risk of melanoma in ED patients, the result remains inclusive and warrants further study in the future.
Next is “Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors and risk of melanoma: A meta-analysis”, published by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology in September 2017. Here are selected parts of the Abstract from this medical journal article:
- Background: The association between phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors and melanoma risk is controversial.
- Objective: We quantify the association between use of PDE5 inhibitors and melanoma.
- Results: Five observational studies were included. Compared with PDE5 inhibitor nonuse, PDE5 inhibitor use was slightly but significantly associated with an increased risk for development of melanoma (OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.03-1.21)….
Last is “Update on the Safety of Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitors for the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction”, made available online by Sexual Medicine Reviews journal on October 12, 2017. From this article’s Abstract, here are two relevant points presented by these medical researchers:
- “There appears to be an association between [Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5Is)] use and melanoma but the absence of a mechanism of causation raises doubt that the association is cause and effect.”; and,
- “Evidence on increased rates of melanoma and prostate cancer recurrence is weak and controversial.”
Of course, we will continue to monitor the medical journals for additional research findings about malignant melanoma (perhaps more commonly called melanoma skin cancer) being linked to Viagra and Cialis as well as other PDE-5 drugs prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction (ED), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).
[Read article in full at original source]Earlier articles by attorney Tom Lamb on the Side Effects Blog:
- Cialis, Levitra, And Viagra Might Cause Sudden Vision Loss Side Effect
- Viagra – Melanoma MDL Might Include Cialis Lawsuits And Levitra Cases
- 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
- Viagra / Cialis / Levitra: Prostate Cancer Recurrence When Used After Radical Prostatectomy Surgery
- 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
All content by attorney Tom Lamb