Pfizer (PFE): Viagra Can Make Men Hard Of Hearing

Pfizer (PFE) has a new ad campaign for its erectile dysfunction drug Viagra. The marketing message is all over TV and in little video clips online. Reuters.com appears to have one of the ads on every page. It is an nauseating vignette of several men, about 50 years old, singing the praises of the ED-drug while playing a guitar, piano, and bass. "Viva Viagra" indeed.

Now word comes that Viagra and other ED drugs can make some men hard of hearing. That may be a blessing when one of the "Viva Viagra" ads comes onto a TV or PC screen.

In an alert from FDA Medwatch, the agency wrote that it had informed healthcare professionals of reports of sudden decreases or loss of hearing following the use of PDE5 inhibitors Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. In some cases, the sudden hearing loss was accompanied by tinnitus and dizziness.

Perhaps Pfizer’s investors will be listening for news of the next Viagra side-effect.

Douglas A. McIntyre