Propecia Finasteride Side Effects Fail to Get a Rise out of Patients

Newark, NJA drug that was originally formulated to treat enlarged prostate in men but has more recently found traction as a treatment for male pattern baldness has come under fire for various side effects some claim will not subside when the drug is stopped. Propecia finasteride resolves a man's frustration over hair loss, but may also introduce sexual dysfunction.

In other words, Propecia sex drive means that you no longer have one. Such is the allegation, among others, in a lawsuit filed against Propecia manufacturer Merck & Co. Lawyers representing plaintiffs allege that Merck dropped the ball in warning Propecia patients against the various side effects of the drug, even after regulators in Europe required stronger warning labels there.

Merck saw an emerging market for finasteride after enlarged prostate patients noticed that the drug fostered hair growth in areas of the scalp where their hair had been thinning. Thus approval for Propecia, which also appears on the market under the name Proscar, to be reborn as a treatment for male pattern baldness, was sought and received by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1997.

Finasteride has been found to reduce the levels of substance on the scalp that is thought to foster hair loss.

However, the same attribute that grows hair has also been found to rob a man of his manhood, if you will, and in many cases has led to Propecia sexual dysfunction. The allegation is that Merck knew about this potential, but failed to adequately warn patients of the potential fallout.

What's more, the manufacturer is alleged to have claimed that any problems stemming from Propecia side effects disappear once the medication is stopped. However, this has not proven to be the case for some Propecia patients. Lawyers representing plaintiffs have said that in some cases dysfunction stemming from adverse reactions persist five years after stopping the drug.

One plaintiff is described as having suffered Propecia long-term side effects so severe that his wife left him. Another claims to have been forced out of law school after Propecia left him unable to focus on his studies.

Plaintiffs allege that finasteride use also promotes anxiety attacks and insomnia.

The Propecia lawsuit was filed in US District Court in New Jersey, where Merck & Co. has its headquarters. Merck issued a statement that it intends to vigorously defend itself from any Propecia finasteride action.