Robert G. Leonard of Richmond, Virginia, got more than he wanted from taking the antidepressant Trazodone. One day after taking the medication, Leonard awoke with an erection that would not stop. After two days, he finally sought emergency medical treatment. But by that time, it was too late. A surgical procedure relieved the situation, but the experience left him permanently injured and unable to get an erection. Now he is suing Trazodone’s manufacturer, Teva Pharmaceuticals, and Walmart for dispensing the drug without warning him of the risk of priapism (erections lasting more than four hours). Leonard is seeking $17.5 million in damages. It is estimated that the priapism occurs in 1 of 6,000 men who take trazodone.
-Noel Brinkerhoff