Viagra

Viagra was approved by the FDA on March 27, 1998. Viagra was the first pill to treat impotence approved by the FDA. Viagra is a perscription medication taken by mouth that treats erectile disfunction in men. Viagra can also be prescribed to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension. Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, based out of New York, New York, manufacturers Viagra.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an alert in July, 2005 on Viagra. The FDA found that a small number of men who had taken Viagra lost their eyesight in one eye. The type of vision loss experienced by men who take Viagra is called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). NAION causes a sudden loss of eyesight by blocking blood flow to the optic nerve.

Viagra is the name used to market sildenafil citrate. As of May, 2005, the FDA had forty-three cases of ischemic optic neuropathy, or loss of eyesight, reported by individuals taking drugs like Viagra. Of that forty-three, thirty-eight were attributed to taking sildenafil citrate, or Viagra. The majority of cases cited by the FDA reported the loss of sight to be continuing or permanent.

When the FDA issued its alert in July, 2005, it did not know if Viagra caused NAION because the condition can occur in men not taking Viagra. Certain individuals are at a higher risk for NAION, including those who:

• have heart disease
• are over 50
• have high cholesterol or high blood pressure
• have diabetes
• smoke
• have preexisting eye problems

Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, Viagra's manufacturer, denies that Viagra use can lead to loss of sight and have conducted over 100 clinical tests that showed no loss of sight in participants. FDA clinical trials, however, have shown that taking Viagra at higher doses can lead to significant retinal injury that lasts for hours.

As a part of its alert, the FDA approved new labels for Viagra for possible eyesight loss (NAION). Many individuals, however, were already severely affected by the side affects associated with taking Viagra. In addition to loss of sight, Viagra can also cause side affects such as heart and blood pressure problems, drug interactions, seizures, and painful and prolonged erections. If you or a loved one has been affected by vision loss, or another side affect, associated with taking Viagra, the attorneys at Goldenberg & Johnson can answer any questions you have and discuss your potential case. You can speak to one of our attorneys at 1-800-279-6386.