So, the big story on Friday was that Cialis, Viagra and Levitra cause blindness! At least that’s how it was presented in TV and radio snippets about the story.
As usual, the truth is much more complicated. Out of 5 million users, ICOS Corp.’s Cialis has reported four possible cases of vision loss. According to ICOS’ spokeswoman Lacy Fitzpatrick, one of those cases already has been reclassified, meaning the drug isn’t even a suspected cause anymore.
We ran a story in Saturday’s paper (www.heraldnet.com/stories/05/05/28/100bus_cialis001.cfm) that also explains this vision condition is a risk for heart disease and diabetes patients, which also happen to make up part of the target audience for erectile dysfunction drugs.
The FDA may still find a causal link between the drugs and vision loss, but a Forbes’ commentator says he is among those waiting for the proof. Here’s the link:
http://www.forbes.com/healthcare/2005/05/27/cx_mh_0527viagra.html?partner=yahootix&referrer
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