A former fitness instructor warns Propecia consumers that the hair loss treatment can lead to severe side effects, including sexual dysfunction and extreme weight loss.

According to a CBS affiliate in Richmond, Va., Matthew D. of Virginia says he started taking Propecia (finasteride) at age 23. Matthew discussed the Propecia side effects with his dermatologist and was assured it was a very safe hair loss medication. Matthew took Propecia for over ten years before linking it to serious side effects that have affected his health and quality of life.  

Matthew says about a year ago he woke up one morning feeling lethargic, anxious and completely without a sex drive. He couldn’t understand what was happening until he searched online for information about Propecia complications.

Matthew claims that he stopped taking the drug altogether hoping the side effects would go away, but things only got worse. He says that in three months he has unexpectedly lost 20 lbs. and his muscles have completely atrophied. Medical experts say Matthew now suffers from Post-Finasteride Syndrome.

What is Propecia?

Propecia is a hair loss product that treats androgenic alopecia, commonly known as male pattern baldness. The active 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).

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a five milligram tablet of finasteride marketed under the name Proscar to treat enlarged prostrate and a one milligram tablet of finasteride under the name of Propecia for a hair loss solution. 

More than one million men in the U.S. take finasteride either in the form of Propecia or Proscar.

Side Effects of Propecia

Although taking Propecia for hair loss has become a common option for thousands of men, it has reportedly caused serious side effects. The majority of the ill effects are related to sexual dysfunction.

Propecia consumers have filed more than 2,600 adverse event reports within the last five years. The bulk of the reports claim that the hair loss medicine led to a permanent or persistent loss of sex drive.

Reported Propecia side effects include:

• Erectile dysfunction
• Ejaculation disorders
• Loss of libido
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Prostrate cancer
• Breast cancer

Medical experts claim that at this point there is no real way to reverse the side effects of finasteride, which may include severe depression and risk of suicide.

Propecia Lawsuits

Former Propecia consumer Matthew claims that had physicians been able to warn patients about the severe side effects of the hair loss remedy, no one would be taking the drug.

In 2012, the FDA required Propecia manufacturer Merck to add a sexual dysfunction caution to its warning label. However, the company continues to defend the safety of its product.

Numerous Propecia lawsuits have been filed by plaintiffs who allege that Merck knew of the sexual dysfunction side effect for years. According to Propecia consumers, the manufacturer added the sexual side effect risk to Propecia labels on products sold in Sweden beginning in 2008.

In general, Propecia lawsuits seek financial compensation for the sexual side effects suffered by plaintiffs. Some men choose to join a Propecia class action lawsuit, which is a discreet way to obtain restitution for damages caused by the medication.