Recent studies indicate that the male pattern balding drug Propecia has been associated with a number of side effects including erectile dysfunction, impotence, gynecomastia, male breast cancer and prostate cancer. FDA clinical trials have confirmed that a high percentage of Propecia users have experienced these side effects, even if the medication was only used for a short time. If you are among those who continue to experience long-term side effects after using Propecia, you may have a claim for damages against the manufacturer.
Free Confidential Case Review: If you or a loved one has been injured by Propecia, you should contact us as soon as possible for a free confidential review of your potential case.
Propecia Background
Marketed and manufactured by Merck, Propecia is male pattern baldness drug that works by significantly inhibiting dihydrotestosterone (DHT) – a key cause of hair loss – in a patient’s scalp. DHT is a substance in the body that can shrink the hair follicle until it no longer produces visible hair. Reducing DHT appears to inhibit the further shrinking of affected hair follicles. Propecia was approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in 1997 for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and male pattern baldness (MPB).
Unfortunately, Propecia interferes with male hormones, including testosterone derivatives. A number of men have reported experiencing unexplained sexual side effects after using Propecia. Even when they stop using the drug, many men have reported that these Propecia side effects continue.
Propecia Side Effects
The following side effects have been reported in a large number of Propecia users:
- 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
Propecia Side Effects Study
A recent study conducted at the Center for Andrology and Division of Endocrinology at George Washington University examined the long-term sexual side effects experienced by a number of Propecia users. The study involved 71 healthy men between the ages of 21-46 that suffered from sexual side effects lasting at least three months, despite stopping their use of Propecia. More than 90% of the participants reported experiencing low libido, erectile dysfunction and decreased sexual arousal. 20% of those interviewed reported problems lasting for an extended period of more than six years.
“This is the first trial to show the medication can cause persistent sexual side effects,” says Michael Irwig, co-author of the study. “And the risk needs to be known when men are contemplating taking the medication and doctors are prescribing the medication.”
Propecia Male Breast Cancer
Like breast cancer in women, cancer of the male breast involves uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the breast tissue. Male breast cancer symptoms vary widely from patient to patient, and many breast cancers have no obvious symptoms at all. However, commonly reported signs and symptoms of Propecia-induced male breast cancer include:
- breast lump located just below the nipple
- ulceration of the skin
- puckering, dimpling, redness or scaling of the nipple
- nipple retraction (turning inward)
Propecia Prostate Cancer
On June 13, 2011, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) announced that its review of the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT) demonstrated an increased incidence of high-grade prostate cancer with Propecia and other similar medications. The results of the PCPT showed that men on finasteride (Propecia and Proscar) had a 61% increased incidence of the severe, ‘GS 8-10’ prostate cancers. Symptoms of Propecia-induced high-grade prostate cancer include:
- trouble urinating
- decreased force in the stream of urine
- blood in the urine
- blood in the semen
- swelling in the legs
- discomfort in the pelvic area
- bone pain
Propecia Class Action Lawsuit
A class-action lawsuit has been filed against Merck & Co., Inc. for failing to fully disclose the serious side effects of Propecia. The claim seeks compensation on behalf of a group of men who have taken Propecia and suffered from severe sexual and mental side effects. The lawsuit claims that Merck failed to fully disclose the side effects of Propecia, which resulted in needless suffering and permanent loss of sexual desire for the victims.
We’re Here To Help – Contact a Propecia Lawyer Today
The Defective Drug Litigation Group at our law firm includes some of America’s most passionate, accomplished and skilled trial lawyers. When choosing our firm to represent you in your potential Propecia claim, you will not only gain access to a level of professional legal representation previously available only to large corporations, but also to an exceptional level of personal attention and customer service from compassionate trial lawyers found at no other law firm.
We are handling individual lawsuits nationwide and currently accepting new Propecia cases in all 50 states.
If you or a loved one has been injured by Propecia, you should contact us as soon as possible for a free confidential review of your potential case.
To contact us for a free review of your potential case, please fill out the form below or call us toll free 24 hrs/day by dialing: (866) 588-0600.
