According to PharmaTimes, the FDA has asked Pfizer to suspend the 30-second online video advertisement for Viagra (sildenafil), which appeared on CNN.com. FDA believes that Pfizer’s ad has raised safety concerns by omitting risk information for Viagra. Viagra’s label cautions against use by men taking nitrates and suggests the possibility of sudden vision and hearing loss, as well as priapism.
However Pfizer notified the FDA that the safety information contained in a companion banner complementing the video was not displayed due to a technical error at CNN.com. In addition, Pfizer also announced that it withdrew all internet-based video ads featuring Viva Viagra! spots, which require a companion banner with the appropriate risk information to simultaneously appear with the video.