Study Exposes Possible Viagra-Melanoma Connection

Boston, MAWith news about a potential link between Viagra and melanoma come concerns that men who take Viagra are at an increased risk of skin cancer. At least one lawsuit alleging Viagra caused melanoma has now been filed. But until more research is done, the exact nature of the link between Viagra and melanoma is not clear.

A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine in June 2014 found that men who took sildenafil (the generic name for Viagra) were 84 percent more likely to develop melanoma, a skin cancer, over the next 10 years. The study does not show that Viagra causes melanoma, only that there might be a connection between the two. It’s possible the men who took Viagra also had other lifestyle factors that put them at a higher risk of skin cancer to begin with.

“Sildenafil use may be associated with an increased risk of developing melanoma,” researchers concluded, but noted that the study did not provide sufficient proof to warrant a change in Viagra recommendations.

The study’s authors noted that the findings in the study should be confirmed, and further research done to determine whether there is a cause and effect between Viagra and melanoma. There are concerns that Viagra may have an effect on signaling pathways between cells, which may allow melanoma to spread throughout the body.

At least one lawsuit has been filed against Pfizer, maker of Viagra, alleging the drugmaker failed to adequately warn about the risks associated with Viagra use. According to reports, Edward Corboy Jr., filed a lawsuit in late 2014, alleging Pfizer knew or should have known about the risk of melanoma linked to use of Viagra and that if he had been adequately warned about those risks he would not have taken the medication.

Corboy reportedly took Viagra in 2008 to treat erectile dysfunction and was diagnosed with melanoma in 2012.

In 2008, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent a warning letter to Pfizer concerning marketing of Viagra. Among concerns outlined in the letter were that the marketing - specifically a promotional video on CNN - did not disclose any risks associated with the erectile dysfunction medication.

“The video raises public health and safety concerns through its complete omission of risk information for Viagra by suggesting that Viagra is safer than has been demonstrated,” the warning letter states. The FDA requested Pfizer stop using the marketing materials and noted the violations were serious, requiring a comprehensive plan to show the company would release truthful information about risks associated with Viagra.

So far, very few lawsuits have been filed regarding Viagra. Whether more lawsuits are filed alleging patients developed melanoma after taking Viagra remains to be seen.