Viagra® Hearing Loss
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Viagra® and other erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs including Cialis and Levitra may cause sudden hearing loss, the Food and Drug Administration announced in October 2007. At the time, the agency said the drugs’ labeling would be updated with a new warning about the risk of a sudden decrease in or loss of hearing.
Since erectile dysfunction drugs came on the market in 1996, they have been used by tens of millions of men. Viagra® alone has been used by about 30 million men. If you suffered hearing loss following use of Viagra®, contact an attorney today. You may be able to seek damages for your losses and suffering.
Viagra®
Viagra® (sildenafil citrate) is marketed by Pfizer and has been on the U.S. market since 1998. It is the most popular of the ED drugs, and is one of Pfizer’s biggest sellers. However, Viagra® is not without side effects. It has been linked to sudden vision loss, worsened sleep apnea, and most recently, sudden hearing loss.
A related drug, Revatio, contains the same ingredient as Viagra® but is used to treat a life-threatening condition known as pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This drug will also carry the new hearing loss warning. Patients taking this drug should not discontinue its use without first consulting a physician.
Reports of Hearing Loss
A case study involving a man who experienced sudden hearing loss while taking Viagra® was published in the April 2007 issue of the Journal of Laryngology & Otology, and it was this report that prompted the FDA to look into the issue further.
The agency’s Adverse Events Reporting program, MedWatch, showed 29 reports of men who took Viagra®, Cialis, or Levitra and experienced a sudden loss of hearing. In some cases, the hearing loss was accompanied by tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and/or dizziness. Most cases involved hearing loss in only one ear, and the hearing loss was temporary in about one-third of the men.
If You Experience Hearing Loss…
after taking Viagra®, you should stop taking the drug and consult your physician promptly. The FDA also encourages patients who experience hearing loss or other adverse drug effect to file a report with MedWatch.
You may also wish to consult an attorney who is experienced in handling cases involving defective drugs. If you have experienced hearing loss because of Viagra®, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact us today to arrange a private, complimentary consultation with a qualified Viagra® lawyer.
