NEW YORK, June 1, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- For the past 6 months, Parker & Waichman, LLP (www.yourlawyer.com) has been contacted by prospective clients who claim to have suffered loss of vision as a result of using the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra (sildenafil citrate). Last week, the FDA announced that it is investigating a link between erectile dysfunction drugs and NAION - nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy - which can cause blindness. Parker & Waichman, LLP has also received a significant number of inquiries from Cialis and Levitra users who claim to have suffered vision loss after using those drugs. Viagra, Cialis and Levitra patients can learn more by visiting http://www.yourlawyer.com/practice/overview.htm?topic=Viagra.
In its announcement last week, The Food and Drug Administration said it had received 43 reports of varying degrees of vision loss, including blindness, among users of erectile dysfunction drugs. There were 38 reports of blindness among Viagra users (Six patients had vision loss within 24 hours after use of Viagra), 4 among Cialis users and 1 among Levitra users. Eli Lilly & Co. (NYSE:LLY) and ICOS Corp. (NASDAQ:ICOS), the makers of Cialis, have already added a warning about possible vision loss to the drug's label. The FDA has said it is in discussions with Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) the maker of Viagra, and the makers of Levitra, Bayer AG (NYSE:BAY), GlaxoSmithKline PLC (NYSE: GSK) and Schering Plough CP (NYSE:SGP) about warnings on those drugs' labels. Over 30 million men worldwide have used an erectile dysfunction drug since Viagra came onto the market in 1998.
NAION occurs when blood flow to the optic nerve is blocked. NAION can be temporary, but it is usually permanent and often leads to legal blindness. Parker & Waichman, LLP continues to offer free case consultations to Viagra, Levitra and Cialis users and their families. Patients can click the appropriate link below for a free consultation:
Viagra Patient Case Consultation: http://www.yourlawyer.com/practice/overview.htm?topic=Viagra
Cialis Patient Case Consultation: http://www.yourlawyer.com/practice/overview.htm?topic=Cialis
Levitra Patient Case Consulation: http://www.yourlawyer.com/practice/overview.htm?topic=Levitra
For more information on Parker & Waichman, LLP please visit: (http://www.yourlawyer.com) or call 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636).