FDA’s Statement
The FDA’s alert reads:
“A small number of men have lost eyesight in one eye some time after taking Viagra, Cialis, or Levitra. This type of vision loss is called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). NAION causes a sudden loss of eyesight because blood flow is blocked to the optic nerve.
“We do not know at this time if Viagra, Cialis, or Levitra causes NAION. NAION also happens in men who do not take these medicines. People who have a higher chance for NAION include those who:
FDA’s Advice for Patients – Cialis, Viagra, Levitra
The FDA advises patients to stop taking Cialis, Viagra and Levitra and call a doctor or health care provider right away if they experience sudden or decreased vision loss in one or both eyes.
“Further, patients taking or considering taking Cialis, Viagra and Levitra should inform their healthcare professionals if they have ever had severe loss of vision, which might reflect a prior episode of NAION. Such patients are at an increased risk of developing NAION again,” says the FDA.
Label Change for Viagra, Cialis, Levitra
The FDA has approved updated labeling for the erectile dysfunction drugs Cialis, Viagra, and Levitra. The change reflects a small number of postmarketing reports of sudden vision loss attributed to NAION (nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy) , a condition in which blood flow is blocked to the optic nerve, states an FDA news release.
Tens of millions of men worldwide have used the drugs. The reported vision problems have been extremely rare.