Safety Perspectives In This Issue

In this issue of QuarterWatch™ we identify major differences in reports of cancer associated with drugs for psoriasis, a common skin disorder affecting an estimated 7.5 million people. While corticosteroid and other topical drugs are sufficient for many cases, potent immunosuppressant drugs are used in increasing numbers.

In this report we also provide new evidence that tadalafil (CIALIS) and sildenafil (VIAGRA), drugs for erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension, can cause deafness or sudden hearing loss.

QuarterWatch™ is an independent publication of the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP). We analyze computer excerpts from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). These reports (best known as MedWatch reports) are a cornerstone of the nation’s system for monitoring the safety of prescription drugs after FDA marketing approval.