Another Propecia erectile dysfunction lawsuit has been filed by a California resident, claiming that his years of treatment using the hair loss drug left him with sexual dysfunction. The plaintiff argues that he was not adequately warned of potential sexual side effects by Merck, the maker of Propecia.

Plaintiff Erik J., a resident of Los Angeles, was prescribed Propecia as a hair loss treatment for men in 2004 and used it as directed. While consuming Propecia, Erik allegedly began to suffer and continues to suffer from ed dysfunction and related sexual dysfunction, which he alleges is a direct result of taking Propecia. The Propecia erectile dysfunction lawsuit accuses Merck of downplaying the defective nature and risks of Propecia side effects, including adverse events of permanent sexual dysfunction during and after discontinuation of the hair loss treatment. Erik is joining the Propecia multidistrict litigation (or MDL) currently pending in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

Side Effects of Propecia

While warnings about Propecia erectile dysfunction are outlined on the drug’s label, Merck allegedly provided inaccurate and misleading information about Propecia sexual side effects, which allegedly include:

• Impotence
• Loss of libido (lower sex drive)
• Male breast growth
• Erectile dysfunction
• Ejaculation problems
• Testicular pain
• Infertility
• Problems with orgasm

Essentially, many Propecia lawsuits claim that many men using this hair loss product were unaware that these Propecia sexual side effects can continue for months or years after use. As early as 2003, data suggested that only 50 to 59 percent of men suffering from Propecia sexual side effects had the dysfunction resolved after stopping use of the drug.

Propecia Erectile Dysfunction Litigation

Erik’s Propecia lawsuit is one of hundreds filed concerning the alleged undisclosed side effects from the drug finasteride that was approved as Propecia to treat hair loss in 1997. Since its approval by the FDA, Propecia has been linked to several side effects, including various forms of sexual dysfunction as well as prostrate and breast cancer.

While labeling and packaging information on the drugs initially suggested low incidences of sexual problems, many Propecia lawsuits cite studies that find the rate of sexual dysfunction to be as high as 39 percent, while others note that only about half of the patients were able to resolve such problems after discontinuing their use of the hair loss treatment. Merck only updated their materials regarding the drug in April of 2011, which simply notes that some patients may have “difficulty in achieving an erection that continued after stopping the medication.”

Such warnings about erectile dysfunction have been part of foreign packaging of Propecia for several years prior to 2011, indicating that the Merck was aware or should have been aware of Propecia sexual side effects and may be held liable for not adequately warning patients about the risk.

The Propecia MDL is In Re: Propecia (Finasteride) Product Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2331, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.