Melissa LaFreniere  |  July 30, 2015

Category: Legal News

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Man expressing stress, worry or depression; isolated against a white backgroundRecent Propecia studies suggest that the medication is an effective treatment for male pattern baldness in about 50 percent of cases. However, researchers have discovered a link between Propecia and sexual dysfunction.

The main ingredient in Propecia is finasteride, which works by blocking enzymes in the scalp and sexual organs to convert testosterone into the sex steroid dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

However, multiple studies suggest that if finasteride does not convert testosterone correctly, Propecia side effects could include erectile dysfunction, ejaculation disorders and loss of libido.

Propecia Side Effects

Finasteride was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat benign prostate hyperplasia (enlarged prostrate) and male pattern baldness.

In 1992, a 5 milligram tablet of finasteride was marketed under the name Proscar to treat enlarged prostrate. By 1997, the FDA approved a one milligram tablet of finasteride under the name of Propecia for androgenic alopecia treatment, commonly known as male pattern baldness.

Reportedly more than one million men in the United States take finasteride either in the form of Propecia or Proscar.

Consumers have reported serious Propecia side effects including:

  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Prostate cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Depression

Many men who develop Propecia sexual dysfunction claim that only half of the time will the medical issue resolve by discontinuing the medication.

In 2012, the FDA required Propecia to include the risk of sexual dysfunction on its warning label.

Propecia Sexual Dysfunction Studies

A recent study followed a group of 700 men who were taking a form of finasteride (Propecia, Proscar) or tamsulosin (Flomax) for enlarged prostrate treatment. Researchers at the Boston University School of Medicine recorded the testosterone levels and prostrate improvement of these patients over the course of nearly four years.

The medical study discovered that men taking finasteride developed a significant decline of erectile function and experienced a serious decrease in testosterone levels. Those patients taking Flomax experienced neither of these side effects.

There have been other Propecia studies that have suggested the sexual dysfunction side effects occur in 39 percent of consumers.

Propecia Lawsuits

Numerous Propecia lawsuits allege that drug manufacturer Merck & Co. knew of the sexual dysfunction side effects since at least 2008. Plaintiffs point to the fact that the company added the sexual warning to the hair loss medication to their Swedish drug labels four years before the FDA mandated the label change.

More than 1,240 Propecia lawsuits have been filed across the nation that involve about 1,500 plaintiffs. Currently there is a mass litigation movement that has been consolidated in a federal court in the state of New York claiming that Propecia caused persistent sexual dysfunction.

In general, Propecia lawsuits claim that consumers were unaware that taking the hair loss product would cause erectile dysfunction or loss of sex drive. Often times spouses can file as co-plaintiffs and seek financial compensation for loss of consortium, which is the loss of intimacy with someone’s partner.

Some men choose to join a Propecia class action lawsuit, which can be a discreet way to obtain financial compensation for any damages caused by taking the hair loss drug.

Do YOU have a legal claim? Fill out the form on this page now for a free, immediate, and confidential case evaluation. The Propecia attorneys who work with Top Class Actions will contact you if you qualify to let you know if an individual lawsuit or Propecia class action lawsuit is best for you. [In general, finasteride lawsuits are filed individually by each plaintiff and are not class actions.] Hurry — statutes of limitations may apply.

Learn More

Get Help – It’s Free

Join a Free Propecia Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you or a loved one took Propecia, Proscar or finasteride and suffered sexual dysfunction, you may have a legal claim. See if you qualify by filling out the short form below.

An attorney will contact you if you qualify to discuss the details of your potential case at no charge to you.

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Please note: Top Class Actions is not a settlement administrator or law firm. Top Class Actions is a legal news source that reports on class action lawsuits, class action settlements, drug injury lawsuits and product liability lawsuits. Top Class Actions does not process claims and we cannot advise you on the status of any class action settlement claim. You must contact the settlement administrator or your attorney for any updates regarding your claim status, claim form or questions about when payments are expected to be mailed out.