Impotence Drugs May Lead To Sudden Hearing Loss

November 12, 2007

Viagra Warning

Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra can cause sudden hearing loss.

That is the new warning the FDA has asked erectile dysfunction drug makers to put on their product labels. This latest alert came after a case was reported of sudden hearing loss in a man taking Viagra. A search of FDA records found 29 similar reports since 1996 involving the drugs. The reports involve hearing loss in one ear, which in a third of the cases was temporary. While the hearing loss cases are rare and it is not certain that the hearing loss is caused by the drugs, the FDA decided they saw enough that they couldn’t ignore it and they proceeded to issue the warning.

Hearing loss is common in men in their 50’s (the age group most likely to take these drugs). However, age-related loss tends to be gradual while the hearing loss connected to this new drug warning is sudden. Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra will all bear the new warning on their labels, as well as Revatio, a drug for pulmonary hypertension, which contains the same ingredient as Viagra. The FDA urges users of Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra who experience hearing loss or ringing in the ears to stop taking the drugs and promptly call their doctors. However, users of Revatio should remain on the drug until they talk with their doctor

This new warning comes two years after impotence drugs were linked to cases of vision loss. Similarly, the vision loss cases are rare. However, impotence drugs have been on the market for nearly a decade now and have generally maintained an excellent safety record.

Impotence Drugs May Lead To Sudden Hearing Loss

Comments

Categories

Archives

Resources

Subscribe to The H&W Post

Recently Written

Sponsors