This is Michael Brady Lynch, Lead Trial Attorney for The Michael Brady Lynch Firm.
Next year, manufacturer Teva will release a generic version 
of the popular erectile dysfunction medication, Viagra. This will be the first time a generic form of the drug will be released in The United States. The FDA approved three different strengths of the drug, which have been available in European markets for the past three years. However, at least nine other drug companies are clamoring to release their own generic form of the medication. With so many new version of Viagra flooding the market in the coming years, how many more men will be injured by potentially hazardous side effects?
Viagra is the brand name for sildenafil. Sildenafil is a medication, which increases blood flow to the penis during sexual activity. This results in an erection. Unfortunately, it can also result in major trauma. Some common side effects of Viagra are a headache, abnormal vision, back pain, nausea, dizziness or rash. Serious side effects can be the loss of vision or hearing, irregular heartbeat, heart attack or deadly skin cancer, melanoma. There are also numerous known drug interactions with Viagra. Will the generic(s) bring even more?
Consumers need to be constantly questioning the clinical studies drug companies submit to the FDA. Many of the adverse events of Viagra could have been avoided if more care was taken during the clinical phase of approval. Viagra was approved in two short years. Imagine the pain and suffering that could have been avoided if it wasn’t rushed to market.
The main takeaway should be that just because a drug has been approved by the FDA does not mean it is safe. Consumers need to be vigilant. Pharmaceutical companies have their profits in mind not the health of the nation.
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