Adcirca contains tadalafil, a drug that is associated with a 21% increased risk of melanoma. Hundreds of lawsuits have been filed by men with skin cancer who took tadalafil or sildenafil.
Need a Texas Adcirca Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one was diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.
What is Adcirca?
Adcirca (tadalafil) is a medication for adults with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. It relaxes the smooth muscles that are found in the walls of blood vessels to increase blood-flow to the lungs. Adcirca was approved by the FDA in 2003 and it is sold by Eli Lilly & Co.
How Does Adcirca Work?
Adcirca works by blocking an enzyme called phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5). This is the same way several other drugs treat erectile dysfunction in men, including Cialis (tadalafil), a drug that contains the same active ingredient as Adcirca, as well as Viagra (sildenafil).
What is the problem?
About 50% of melanoma skin cancers have a genetic mutation that naturally blocks PDE5. These melanomas are more aggressive. The problem is that studies show that people on medications that block PDE5 are also more likely to develop highly-aggressive melanoma.
Studies Linking PDE5 Inhibitors and Melanoma
Researchers at Harvard published a study linking the PDE5 inhibitor sildenafil with an 84% increased risk of melanoma in 2014. Tadalafil was also specifically associated with a 21% increased risk of being diagnosed with Stage 1 melanoma in a study published by JAMA in June 2015.
In the years before these studies were published, other studies linked PDE5 inhibitors with a “dramatic increase in melanoma cell invasion.” The drugs were also shown to promote the synthesis of melanin in adults with melanoma, suggesting they might promote more fast-growing cancer.
FDA Investigates Adcirca Melanoma Risk
In July 2016, the FDA started evaluating the need for regulatory action into the risk of melanoma from Adcirca. The agency is also investigating the risk for all PDE5 inhibitors, including Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, Revatio, Staxyn, and Stendra.
Have Lawsuits Been Filed?
Yes. Eli Lilly & Co., the manufacturer of Adcirca and Cialis, is facing hundreds of lawsuits from men with melanoma skin cancer who took tadalafil. Instead of a class action, they are individual lawsuits.
The lawsuits are centralized into Multi-District Litigation (MDL No. 2691) in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California under Judge Richard Seeborg — In RE: Viagra and Cialis Products Liability Litigation.
What is Melanoma?
Melanoma is the deadliest type of skin cancer, although it accounts for just 1% of all cases of skin cancer. Melanoma is dangerous because it grows quickly and spreads to other organs.
Signs & Symptoms of Melanoma
Melanoma can start anywhere on the body. It sometimes resembles a mole in its early stages, which can delay diagnosis until it is impossible to cure. The symptoms of melanoma skin cancer include:
- Asymmetrical shape
- Uneven border
- Multiple colors
- Larger than a pencil eraser (1/4 inch)
- Changes over time
- Looks and feels different from other moles
- Bleeding or crusting
- Itching
- Pain or tenderness
Need an Adcirca Lawyer in Texas?
Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.
Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”
The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our Texas Adcirca lawyers for a free lawsuit review.