Seattle, WAJason has been prescribed Viagra to help with erectile dysfunction - a Propecia side effect. Contrary to the Propecia manufacturer’s label warning, his condition isn’t short-term: Jason took the hair loss medication five years ago and he is in therapy for depression.
“I started to have sexual dysfunction problems not long after taking Propecia,” says Jason (not his real name). “To this day I can barely keep an erection and it’s had an impact on my marriage - we have even talked about divorce. The worst part about Propecia impotence is that we were talking about having a family; now this has stopped us and we are both depressed.”
Jason has discussed this issue with his doctor, to no avail. His doctor - who prescribed Propecia - says that Propecia sexual dysfunction will go away. But Jason wants help with this problem now. He wants to know when he will be back to “normal” again.
If Jason lived in Sweden, he likely wouldn’t have taken Propecia. As far back as 2006, Swedish regulators began investigating claims of Propecia long-term side effects. In 2008, Merck added warnings to Swedish labels about persistent erectile dysfunction after discontinuing use. It wasn’t until 2012 that the FDA announced a label change for Propecia in the US market: Merck had to include warnings about “libido disorders, ejaculation disorders, and orgasm disorders that continued after discontinuation of the drug.”
Daryl filed a Propecia lawsuit because his sex drive has been “completely non-existent for years,” and his partner is filing a claim for loss of consortium. Making matters even worse, he is taking testosterone therapy because his testosterone level has dropped to an extremely low level. “Had I known about Propecia side effects in 2007, I would have never taken the chance on this drug; I would rather be bald,” Daryl says. “I had no idea about the repercussions of this drug until I saw a commercial about it on television - I am still in shock. How could anyone with a conscience make poison like this, and make money from it?”
Daryl is also in therapy for depression. He says that, after taking just one bottle of Propecia, his penis and testicles got smaller and he lost all desire for sex.
“Because of all this I may lose the love of my life,” he says, choking back tears.
A Florida couple in September 2014 filed a lawsuit against Merck & Co., claiming sexual dysfunction due to the use of Propecia. Albert Daniels claims that Merck improperly manufactured, advertised and distributed Propecia despite the fact that it knew patients were at an increased risk for various sexual side effects, adding that the huge drug company fraudulently concealed Propecia ( finasteride side effects) from the consumer. Daniels’ wife, Christine Daniels, is also named as a plaintiff in a lawsuit.
The Daniels’ lawsuit seeks more than $75,000 in damages, claiming negligence, breach of implied and express warranties, negligent infliction of emotional distress and loss of consortium (Daniels v. Merck & Co., No. 14-5618 [E.D.N.Y. complaint filed Sept. 24, 2014]).
Guys, is your vanity worth it?
The most common side effects of Propecia include:
• Decrease in sex drive
• Trouble getting or keeping an erection
• A decrease in the amount of semen
The following have been reported in general use with Propecia:
• Breast tenderness and enlargement
• Decrease in sex drive that continued after stopping the medication
• Problems with ejaculation that continued after stopping medication
• Testicular pain
• Difficulty in achieving an erection that continued after stopping the medication
• Male infertility and/or poor quality of semen
If you or a loved one have suffered losses in this case, please click the link below and your complaint will be sent to a drugs & medical lawyer who may evaluate your Propecia claim at no cost or obligation.