Propecia Leads to Persistent Sexual Side Effects in Some Users

Pharmaceutical companies have tried to offer alternatives that are neither expensive, drastic, nor embarrassing. But what happens when the cure can be worse than the disease?

The pharmaceutical company Merck & Co. started marketing Propecia, also known by its generic name finasteride, after it was approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in 1997 for the purpose of treating male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia).

Merck claims that “9 out of 10 men improved or maintained hair with Propecia.” They also report that “most men in the clinical studies saw results 3 to 12 months after starting Propecia.” Not to mention that fact that it’s relatively affordable. What man wouldn’t want to give such a wonder drug a shot?

The problem with Propecia is not whether or not it helps prevent hair loss; the problem is with its side effects.

A study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine in July 2012 found that Propecia caused serious sexual side effects that may last even after discontinued use. The study was conducted at George Washington University, where 54 Propecia users under the age of 40 were interviewed. All the men interviewed said they did not have any sexual, medical, or psychiatric issues before taking Propecia, but all of them reported some side effects after taking the drug. The side effects they experienced included erectile dysfunction, decreased sex drive, problems with orgasms, shrinking and painful genitals as well as depression, anxiety, and mental fogginess. And the symptoms continued for more than a year in 96 percent of the men.

“Our findings make me suspicious that this drug may have done permanent damage to these men. The chances that they will improve? I think its lower and lower the longer they have these side effects,” said Dr. Michael Irwig, the endocrinologist at George Washington University who conducted the study.

Irwig did admit that his study may have included more men who experienced negative Propecia side effects because of where he went to recruit participants.

That being said, the FDA has received over 400 reports of Propecia sexual dysfunction since it was introduced to the market, and 60 of those men reported persistent sexual side effects after they stopped using Propecia.  In 2011, Merck was ordered by the FDA to update Propecia’s warning label to reflect the complaints of persistent sexual side effects that were reported.

There are currently more than 400 Propecia lawsuits that have now been filed against Merck because of the side effects Propecia users have experienced.

If you or someone you know has experienced persistent sexual side effects as a result of taking Propecia, legal options are available. Learn more and get a free legal consultation regarding a claim’s eligibility at the Propecia Loss of Sex Drive, Sexual Dysfunction Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Investigation. Experienced legal professionals have access to medical experts to assess whether or not this male pattern baldness drug played a role in loss of sexual function, so act now.