Propecia Lawsuit

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A large number of otherwise healthy men have suffered serious and potentially irreversible side effects after using Propecia to treat their male pattern baldness. Numerous reports have surfaced connecting the drug to erectile dysfunction, impotence, low libido, gynecomastia, breast cancer and prostate cancer. The unfortunate truth of the matter is that many of these side effects continued long after quitting treatment with Propecia.

Propecia Lawsuit Update 2/16/12: More than 50 people from 22 states have joined a lawsuit against Merck & Co. and its subsidiaries for failing to warn the public about the dangerous side effects associated with their male pattern baldness drugs. The complaint alleges that Propecia and Proscar, which contain the active ingredient finasteride, cause an “increased risk of persistent and/or serious and dangerous side effects.” Click here to learn more.

Propecia Update 2/7/12: Mounting research and numerous case studies involving the serious side effects of Propecia (finasteride) have apparently prompted pharmaceutical giant Merck to pull its content from the company’s website. Although Merck has offered no explanation for the move, many have speculated that it might have something to do with the growing number of Propecia side effects lawsuits filed against the company in recent months. Click here to learn more.

Free Propecia Case Evaluation: If you or a loved one has been injured by Propecia, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit and we can help.

What’s the problem?

First approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in 1997, Propecia (finasteride) is a popular prescription treatment manufactured by Merck for male pattern hair loss (MPHL). Finasteride is a highly potent inhibitor of Type II 5-Alpha Reductase, an intracellular enzyme that converts the weaker androgen, testosterone, into the more potent androgen, dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Propecia has been shown to be effective in stopping hair loss, but only when taken on a persistent, ongoing basis.

When it first hit the market, Propecia was heavily marketed with the perception that men who were losing their hair also were losing their sex appeal. Propecia made the pitch that by using the drug to replace hair loss, users would regain their attractiveness and youthful appearance. It is difficult to say how many men were influenced by this approach, but Propecia’s sales figures have been consistently impressive.

Unfortunately, Propecia has been associated with a number of adverse sexual side effects in multiple controlled studies. According to research conducted at the Center for Andrology and Division of Endocrinology at George Washington University, physicians treating MPHL should discuss the potential risk of persistent sexual side effects associated with Propecia. Among the studies findings:

Subjects reported new-onset persistent sexual dysfunction associated with the use of finasteride: 94% developed low libido, 92% developed erectile dysfunction, 92% developed decreased arousal, and 69% developed problems with orgasm. The mean number of sexual episodes per month dropped and the total sexual dysfunction score increased for before and after finasteride use according to the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (P < 0.0001 for both). The mean duration of finasteride use was 28 months and the mean duration of persistent sexual side effects was 40 months from the time of finasteride cessation to the interview date.

Propecia Side Effects

Like all prescription products, Propecia may cause side effects. However, a significant number of men reported side effects including:

• less desire for sex
• difficulty in achieving an erection (erectile dysfunction)
• decrease in the amount of semen
• problems with ejaculation
• gynecomastia
• impotence
• testicular pain
• male breast cancer
• prostate cancer

Other, less severe side effects associated with Propecia include:

• breast tenderness
• allergic reactions
• rash
• hives

Propecia Prostate Cancer

On June 9, 2011, the FDA issued a press release warning that Propecia may increase the risk for high-grade prostate cancer, the most aggressive and deadly form of the disease. The warning was based on the administration’s analysis of two large studies – the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT) and the Reduction by Dutasteride of Prostate Cancer Events (REDUCE) Trial – which showed that Propecia and other medications in the 5-alpha reductase inhibitor (5-ARI) class reduced the overall risk of getting prostate cancer but increased the chances of developing high-grade tumors. Signs and symptoms of Propecia-induced prostate cancer include:

• urinary problems (not being able to urinate; having a hard time starting or stopping the flow of urine; needing to urinate often, especially at night; weak flow of urine; urine flow that starts and stops; pain or burning during urination)
• difficulty achieving an erection
• blood in the urine or semen
• frequent pain in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs

Propecia Breast Cancer

In rare cases, male breast cancer has been found in Propecia users. Report any of the following signs and symptoms to your doctor immediately:

• breast lumps
• pain in the breast area
• nipple discharge

Although the overall incidence of male breast cancer in clinical trials for Propecia was not significantly increased, a higher risk of male breast cancer with Propecia use cannot be excluded.

If you are taking Propecia

Propecia is designed for the treatment of male pattern hair loss in men only, and should not be taken by women, children, or anyone allergic to any of the ingredients. If a woman who is pregnant with a male baby absorbs the active ingredient in Propecia, it may cause abnormalities of a male baby’s sex organs. If a woman who is pregnant comes into contact with the active ingredient in Propecia, a doctor should be consulted immediately.

Do I have a Propecia Lawsuit?

The Product Liability & Defective Drug Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Propecia lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new sexual side effects cases in all 50 states.