Optic neuropathy patients should avoid erectile dysfunction drugs

Last Updated: 2006-04-28 10:59:28 -0400 (Reuters Health)

LONDON (Agence de Presse Medicale for Reuters Health) - The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) said on Friday that Viagra (sildenafil), Cialis (tadalafil), Levitra (vardenafil) and Revatio (sildenafil) should not be taken by patients suffering from vision loss in one eye as a result of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).

In a statement, the CHMP said it is recommending to the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) that the erectile dysfunction drugs Viagra, Cialis and Levitra should be contraindicated in these patients. The CHMP's recommendation also applies to Pfizer's Revatio, which is indicated for the treatment of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Ophthalmologists have previously warned that permanent vision loss has occurred in some men taking these drugs.

Nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy occurs when blood flow is cut off to the optic nerve, resulting in permanent vision loss.

Several case reports were published in the March 2005 issue of the Journal of Neuro-ophthalmology and a number of lawsuits have been filed in the United States.