Drug Injury

Viagra®, Cialis®, Levitra®

Sildenafil citrate (commonly known as Viagra®), tadalafil (Cialis®) and vardenafil (Levitra®) are drugs prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). Erectile dysfunction (also identified as impotence) is defined as: “the inability to develop or sustain an erection satisfactory for sexual intercourse (1).” Viagra, approved on March 27, 1998 was the first drug in its class and has since become the most prescribed drug for ED (2).

Viagra, according to its manufacturer Pfizer Inc., has been prescribed to 23 million men worldwide, with over 1 billion doses prescribed by over 600,000 doctors (3).

Viagra®, Cialis®, Levitra® Linked to Blindness
On July 7, 2005, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released the following news alert: A small number of men have lost eyesight in one eye some time after taking Viagra, Cialis, or Levitra. This type of vision loss is called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). NAION causes a sudden loss of eyesight because blood flow is blocked to the optic nerve.

We do not know at this time if Viagra, Cialis, or Levitra causes NAION. NAION also happens in men who do not take these medicines. People who have a higher chance for NAION include those who:

• have heart disease
• are over 50 years old
• have diabetes
• have high blood pressure
• have high cholesterol
• smoke
• have certain eye problems
  

FDA has approved new labels for Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra to include information on possible eyesight loss (NAION).

Stop using Viagra, Cialis, or Levitra if you have a loss in your eyesight. Get medical help right away (4).

ED Drugs and NAION
Non-arteric anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is described by ophthalmologists as “stroke of the eye.” NAION involves the interruption of blood flow to the arteries that supply the eye. The result of this “eye stroke” is the severe loss of vision, altitudinal field defects and a swollen optic disk with small hemorrhages inside it (5). Loss of vision usually occurs over the next several days. As of May 18, 2005, 43 cases of ischemic optic neuropathy have been reported to the FDA in patients taking ED drugs containing sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis) or vardenafil (Levitra) – 26 of these cases reported continuing and permanent visual loss (6).

What should I do if I have experienced vision loss after taking an ED Drug?
You should always consult with your physician for health-related questions. If you or someone you care about has taken Viagra, Cialis or Levitra and experienced partial or total loss of vision, contact our offices immediately for a free and confidential evaluation of your case today.

Sources:

1. WebMD’s (www.webmd.com) “Erectile Dysfunction Glossary of Terms” accessed on 07/28/05.
   
   
2. Cornell University’s Medical College (www.med.cornell.edu) article, “Drug Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction” accessed on 07/28/05.
   
   
3. Viagra’s Safety Record (www.viagra.com) accessed on 07/28/05.
   
   
4. Patient Information Sheet for sildenafil citrate FDA alert fromwww.fda.govaccessed on 07/28/05.
   
   
5. Healthscout Health Encyclopedia (www.healthscout.com), “Ischemic Ocular Neuropathy” accessed on 07/28/05.
   
   
6. Alert to Healthcare Professionals - Sildenafil citrate from the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (www.fda.gov/cder) accessed on 07/28/05.
   

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice.

Viagra® is a registered trademark of Pfizer Inc. and is used here only to identify the product in question.

Cialis ® is a registered trademark of Lilly ICOS LLC and is used here only to identify the product in question.

Levitra ® is a registered trademark of Bayer Atktiengescsellschaft and is used here only to identify the product in question.

This law firm is not associated with, sponsored by or affiliated with Bayer Atktiengescsellschaft, Lilly ICOS LLC, Pfizer Inc., WebMD, HealthScout, Cornell University Medical College or the Food and Drug Administration.