Erectile dysfunction, or impotence, is a sexual dysfunction that occurs when a man cannot develop or maintain a penile erection regardless of the capability of ejaculation. This was a taboo subject for years, but with the onset of medication like Viagra, Levitra and Cialis as well as Enzyte, the topic has been opened up. Over 30 million men have used an erectile dysfunction drug since the 1998 debut of Viagra.
There are some diseases like diabetes that can bring on erectile dysfunction, but until the medications came on the market, the treatments were more painful and difficult to ensure. Of course, with all drugs there are some side effects and some treatments that are false.
Enzyte, for instance has been heavily advertised on cable television but recently the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) about Enzyte based on deceptive advertising. Enzyte is supposedly a supplement that will increase the male libido and/or the frequency of penile erections. Enzyte may in fact, not be an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction and some medical professionals are actually advising against taking the supplement because it may lead to damage. Enzyte is made by Berkeley Nutritionals, has also been subject to some investigation by the Ohio attorney general and may be the defendant in at least one class action lawsuit for false advertising.
In addition to supplements like Enzyte, it is now known that there is a link between Viagra, Cialis and Levitra and blindness. All of these medications are known as PDE5 inhibitors and they are only available by prescription and they are taken by mouth. The medication blocks the action of PDE5. PDE5 in the body causes cGMP to degrade – and cGMP is the key to penile erections. When cGMP is not degraded by PDE5, the smooth muscle of the arteries in the penis can relax, allowing it to fill with blood and therefore maintaining a penile erection.
There is a link between PDE5 and a condition called NAION - nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy - which can cause blindness. 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. The Food and Drug Administration has reported the receipt of 43 reports of varying degrees of blindness and vision loss, among users of PDE5 erectile dysfunction drugs, Viagra, Cialis and Levitra. Of the 43 case, 38 were attributed to Viagra, 4 were attributed to Cialis and 1 was attributed to Levitra.
Eli Lilly & Co. and ICOS Corp. have already voluntarily labeled Cialis with a warning about potential vision loss while the FDA remains in discussions with the makers of Viagra and Levitra about warning labels.
All of these medications are enormously popular but despite their widespread and successful use, the drug companies may be liable for demages and compensation in men who have developed blindness as a result of a drug defect in Viagra, Levitra and Cialis. Additionally, if you have been injured by Enzyte and are a victim of their false marketing, you may have a claim against their maker.