Propecia Side Effects: Is Hair Restoration for Erectile Dysfunction a Fair Trade?

Chicago, ILWhen it comes to Propecia side effects, as it is with any medication, patients must ask whether the side effects outweigh the benefits. Men who have filed lawsuits against the maker of Propecia, alleging Propecia sexual dysfunction and other Propecia side effects in men, may not feel that the benefits of Propecia are better than the side effects.

Those side effects reportedly include an increased risk of sexual dysfunction and diminished libido, which can affect up to 23 percent of the men who take Propecia. A study, published in the March issue of the Journal of Sexual Medicine, found that between five and 23 percent of men who take Propecia (known generically as finasteride) suffer from sexual dysfunction. Furthermore, in approximately half of those men, the effects of Propecia are reportedly permanent.

Lawsuits have been filed in the US and Canada, alleging men and their doctors were not adequately warned about the risks associated with the use of Propecia. They also allege that in Sweden and Italy, labels for Propecia include a warning about the risk of "persistent erectile dysfunction."

Some men also say they experience depression, which does not always go away once use of Propecia has stopped.

Meanwhile, Dr. Michael Irwig, of George Washington University, told ABC News (03/16/11) that there was "strong evidence" that finasteride affects hormones in the patient's brain, which could result in changes in the patient's mood and thinking.

Although doctors were aware of the risk of sexual side effects in patients who used Propecia, they may not have been aware that for some patients, the side effects did not go away. In fact, of 71 men who reported sexual side effects, 20 percent still had those issues more than six years after they stopped taking Propecia. The average duration of sexual side effects was 40 months after finasteride use stopped.

Researchers in the most recent study found that "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 conclude that doctors discuss the possibility of sexual side effects with patients when prescribing finasteride.

Merck has defended its drug, saying it is an important treatment option for some patients.

A lawsuit filed in the US accuses Merck of negligence, failure to warn and breach of warranty.