Propecia Lawsuit

Propecia (generic: finasteride), commonly used to treat male pattern hair loss, has been linked to increased risks of sexual side effects, including erectile dysfunction, impotence, loss of libido and decreased volume of ejaculation. In more rare cases, finasteride has also been linked to higher rates of high-grade prostate cancer and male breast cancer.

What You Can Do & How We Can Help

The Schmidt Firm, LLP is currently accepting Propecia induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured by Propecia, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Dangerous Drug Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

UPDATE: 4/11/12

April 11, 2012: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today that it will be updating the label information for Propecia, after the FDA received hundreds of adverse event reports from men who were injured by this drug. The new labels will include more warnings about the risk of persistent sexual side effects. Propecia labels will now warn about the possible risk of libido disorders, ejaculation disorders, and orgasm disorders, problems which often do not resolve when Propecia is discontinued. While taking Propecia, the FDA warns that men may also suffer fertility problems and poor semen quality.

Propecia Lawsuit Overview

Manufactured by Merck & Co., Inc., Propecia was approved by the FDA in 1997 for the treatment of male pattern baldness. Propecia uses the active ingredient of finasteride, which like other 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5-ARI), blocks male sex hormones. Finasteride blocks testosterone from being converted into dihydrotestosterone, a male sex hormone primarily responsible for male pattern hair loss. While Propecia has been scientifically proven to stop male baldness, it may also simultaneously cause irreversible sexual side effects.

In 2011, a study by George Washington University Professor Michael S. Irwig revealed the possible permanent sexual side effects of Propecia. According to the study, subjects reported new-onset persistent sexual dysfunction associated with the use of finasteride. 94% developed low libido, 92% developed erectile dysfunction, 92% developed decreased arousal, and 69% developed problems with orgasm.

Dr. Irwig said: “I came across a website called propeciahelp.com with more than 1,400 registered users—many young healthy men who developed the same sexual side effects from finasteride.”

These risks were never disclosed to Propecia users. Instead, warning labels included on the medication warned of possible temporary sexual side effects that may occur while taking the drug, but disappear after use of the drug is discontinued. However, there is no mention of the possible long-term side effects.

Due to the severity of these permanent side effects, Propecia patients may want to contact a Propecia lawyer at The Schmidt Firm, LLP for a free case evaluation to discuss the potential for a Propecia lawsuit.

Propecia Side Effects

Serious side effects of using Propecia may include, but are not limited to:

Propecia and High-grade Prostate Cancer

On June 9, 2011, the FDA issued a warning that Propecia may increase the risk for the most serious form of prostate cancer. The safety alert was issued against Propecia, Avodart, Proscar, and Jalyn, all of which are 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. The alert was based upon the findings of two studies that suggested the drugs lowered the overall risk of getting prostate cancer, but increased the chances of developing high-grade tumors, the most deadly form of prostate cancer. High-grade prostate cancer grows and spreads into surrounding areas quickly, often reappears and is difficult to treat.

The FDA announced the Warnings and Precautions section of Propecia and the other 5-ARI drugs will be revised to include new safety information, warning of the higher risk of developing high-grade prostate.

Propecia and Sexual Side Effects

In Michael S. Irwig’s recent study, 71 healthy men between the ages of 21 and 46 years old were interviewed. 94% of participants reported sexual side effects associated with Propecia use, with symptoms continued for at least three months after discontinuing use of the medication. The average duration of the sexual side effects was 40 months, with 20% of participants reporting problems lasting more than six years. The men reported decreased arousal, erectile dysfunction (characterized by the inability to develop or maintain an erection during sex), and problems with orgasm.

Finasteride and Male Breast Cancer

The 5-mg dosage of finasteride, commonly proscribed as Proscar, has been linked to an increased risk of breast tenderness, gynecomastia (enlarged breast tissue in men) and male breast cancer. Proscar was originally marketed to treat prostate enlargement and other prostate problems.

The Medical Therapy of Prostatic Symptoms (MTOPS) study reported two participants developed gynecomastia during finasteride (Proscar) therapy and were later found to have primary intraductal breast carcinoma, or breast cancer. One patient had taken finasteride for only 35 days, while the other took it for 1 year and 9 months.

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