New Viagra Melanoma Lawsuit Alleges Wrongful Death

Edwardsville, ILA Viagra lawsuit was filed early last month by the widow of a man who succumbed to a pulmonary embolism consequent to viagra melanoma. Plaintiff Tina M. Stockton says her late husband would have limited his use and dosage of Viagra, prescribed to him by his doctor, if he had been aware of the risks associated with the popular medicinal aid for erectile dysfunction.

According to a report in The Madison-St. Clair Record (4/13/15), the late David Stockton began treatment for erectile dysfunction with a prescription from his doctor for Viagra (sildenafil) in 2000. He continued to use Viagra for about seven years, until 2007. By September 9, 2008, Stockton was dead. According to court records, the cause of death was officially noted as pulmonary embolism consequent to metastatic mucosal melanoma - or sildenafil melanoma.

Various studies have found an association between Viagra use and Viagra melanoma, although there have been no findings - and no one is prepared to state - that sildenafil actually causes melanoma. It was just under a year ago, in June 2014, that a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine suggested that men who used Viagra for issues of erectile dysfunction were 84 times more likely to develop melanoma over the next 10 years, than men who didn’t use Viagra.

In her own research of the study, LawyersandSettlements.com writer Heidi Turner noted the study authors as saying, “Sildenafil use may be associated with an increased risk of developing melanoma,” adding that there was no causal connection. The study also noted that other risk factors pertaining to lifestyle may contribute to a Viagra Skin Cancer Diagnosis, and that the association was insufficient to mandate, in the study authors’ view, a change to the prescribing label with regard to Viagra.

To that end, don’t expect the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to jump on board with any ask for a label change until additional research is carried out.

Be that as it may, it hasn’t stopped David Stockton’s widow from taking action. Tina M. Stockton claims Viagra manufacturer Pfizer did not properly disclose melanoma-related risks in taking Viagra for his erectile dysfunction, and further argues that if her late husband had known of the risks, he would have limited his usage in duration and dosage.

According to The Madison-St. Clair Record, Tina M. Stockton alleges negligence, liability, breach of implied and express warranty, fraud, misrepresentation, fraudulent concealment, gross negligence, and violation of consumer protection laws. She seeks punitive damages in excess of $50,000 plus attorneys’ fees and costs in her Viagra lawsuit.

The sildenafil melanoma lawsuit is Case No. 15-L-423, Madison County Circuit Court.