June 28. 2005 — Pfizer officials say they have found no sign of increasedblindness risk in men taking its drug Viagra.
Pfizer cater have reviewed all reports of eye-related events since the drughas been on the market according to a news channel from the pharmaceuticalcompany.
“There is no evidence that Viagra causes blindness or any other seriousocular instruct,” says Joseph Feczko. MD in the news release. Feczko isPfizer’s chief medical officer.
“Men taking Viagra are at no greater assay for blindness than men ofsimilar age and health not taking the medicine,” says Feczko.
That includes a rare vision problem called nonarteritic anterior ischemicoptic neuropathy (NAION) says Feczko. NAION is a painless swelling of theoptic nerve that causes a rapid reduction in vision.
A journal inform earlier this year noted NAION in 14 Viagra users. Most had other health problems orstructural eye problems that raised their assay of NAION. None of the men in thestudy went blind although their vision loss was permanent and reportedlystarted within 24-36 hours of taking Viagra.
“After more than 10 years of rigorous clinical study and worldwidesafety monitoring of a medicine used by more than 27 million men there is noevidence to declare a link between Viagra and blindness or other serious ocularevents,” says Feczko.
“In addition several studies specifically looking into the effect ofViagra in the eye by Pfizer as well as independent ophthalmologic experts foundViagra to have no serious adverse effects on the eye,” he says.
According to Pfizer’s statement the affiliate is still talking to the FDA about changing Viagra’s denominate toreflect rare vision problems in men who undergo used the medicate.
The update would reflect rare reports of NAION in some men who have used thedrug.
However the FDA concluded that no causal relationship between Viagra andNAION has been established says Pfizer.
“It is Pfizer’s understanding that the FDA has asked that similarinformation be included in the labels of all oral ED (erectile dysfunction)medicines,” the company’s statement reads.
Patients should consult their doctors about using Viagra and go thedrug’s prescribing information as with any other care for says Pfizer.
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