I recently read about Viagra causing vision loss. Can the impotence drugs you are taking cause you to go blind? The FDA seems concerned and is not taking this possible side effect lightly and neither should you.
The FDA is currently in discussions with drug manufacturers of Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis to determine what those drug labels should say. The maker of Cialis voluntarily added information warning of blindness to its label. Currently all labels warn of temporary vision changes, among other side effects.
A condition called NAION (non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy) is supposedly what is causing this vision loss. There are currently 43 FDA reported cases of people suffering from NAION while taking impotence drugs. Federal health officials as well as manufacturers are quick to point out that NAION can be linked to the same illnesses that cause impotence in the first place.
Although NAION is one of the most common causes of sudden vision loss in older individuals, Dr. Howard Pomeranz of the University of Minnesota suggests there may be a connection between NAION and these impotence drugs. In his ophthalmology journal it was reported that seven patients suffered from NAION within 36 hours of a Viagra dose. More research will be needed to establish a definite causal relationship between the vision loss and the use of these drugs. One thing is for certain: if you experience vision problems while taking any of these drugs consult your physician immediately.
Viagra is not alone in receiving problems from the FDA. Other drugs/supplements that have been recalled, voluntarily taken off the market or required to include new warning information on their labels include COX-2 inhibitors such as Vioxx, Bextra and Celebrex, the supplement Ephedra and the weight loss drug Fen-Phen. You can read more about these drugs at LegalCenter. All but Celebrex has been pulled off the market because the risks of these drugs outweighed the benefits. Merck & Co. is facing thousands of lawsuits related to the use of Vioxx and their liability may reach upwards of $18 billion.
Is it possible that drugs that are suppose to help us live normal lives may ultimately injure us beyond repair? Remember that the warnings associated with your prescription are there to protect the drug companies from liability and inform users of the risks they are subjecting themselves to. Most side effects are so rare that only a handful of users (out of millions) experience them. Drug companies must list all potential side effects, no matter how rare, to avoid lawsuits based on their failure to warn users.
By Lisa Zanassi
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