More Propecia Lawsuits Filed

Miami, FLLawsuits alleging Propecia side effects have been filed by men who say they have been affected by Proscar and Propecia hair products. Specifically, the plaintiffs allege they suffered from so-called Propecia sexual dysfunction and other reported Propecia side effects in men. They further allege that even though warning labels suggest the sexual side effects are temporary, in some cases those side effects are long-term and could be permanent.

One such lawsuit was filed by a patient, Eddie Sebastia, who alleges he developed erectile dysfunction, testicular pain and libido issues after taking Propecia and Proscar. Furthermore, as a result of those issues, he reportedly developed depression and anxiety. According to the News Chief (May 16, 2011), Sebastia took Propecia and Proscar from 1998 to 2007.

Sebastia is not the first patient to file a lawsuit against Merck, the company responsible for distributing both Propecia and Proscar. Propecia is used to treat male pattern hair loss. It has a lower dose of the active ingredient, finasteride, than Proscar, which is used to treat enlargement of the prostate gland. Proscar is also used to treat male pattern hair loss.

A study published in March in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that use of Propecia could result in an increase in sexual side effects, including loss of libido, erectile dysfunction and reduced semen. Furthermore, researchers found that some side effects lasted well after treatment with Propecia had stopped. Approximately 15 percent of the men who used Propceia in the review study experienced symptoms of sexual dysfunction, compared with seven percent of men who took a placebo.

Authors of the study concluded, "Prolonged adverse effects on sexual function such as erectile dysfunction and diminished libido are reported by a subset of men, raising the possibility of a causal relationship." They went on to recommend that physicians discuss the possible sexual side effects of the medications before beginning therapy.

Lawsuits filed against Merck allege the company failed to warn patients and their physicians about the potential for permanent sexual dysfunction.

Merck has said it will vigorously defend against the lawsuits. Plaintiffs allege, however, that even though patients in the US were not warned about the risks associated with Propecia, patients in Europe did receive that warning.