Another Plaintiff Sues Merck for Propecia Sexual Side Effects
By Anne Bucher
In 1997, Merck & Co. released Propecia, a finasteride tablet, as an effective treatment for male pattern baldness. Also known as androgenic alopecia, male pattern baldness affects up to 70 percent of men at some point in their lifetime. In men, the condition manifests as a receding hairline and hair thinning on the crown. It is caused by hormones and genetics. Hundreds of Propecia Lawsuits Have Been Filed
Many plaintiffs have filed Propecia lawsuits against Merck, alleging that they suffered from sexual dysfunction after taking the drug. The men allege that Merck should have known that extended use of finasteride, when taken as recommended, can lead sexual dysfunction, including reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, reduced sexual sensation, reduced ejaculate volume or infertility. These conditions often persist after the patient discontinues use of the product. Some Propecia users have also reported symptoms of depression and suicidal thoughts. These Propecia lawsuits have been consolidated into multidistrict litigation.
On March 19, 2013, a new lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of New York. In this most recent Propecia lawsuit filed against Merck, the plaintiff alleges he suffered sexual dysfunction after taking the medication. He claims the drug poses an unreasonable risk to patients and that the side effects have caused him significant pain and suffering that have had a negative impact on the quality of his life.
Propecia Sexual Dysfunction Side Effects
Merck initially claimed that the symptoms would subside when the patient stopped using Propecia. The FDA has evaluated hundreds of reports related to the sexual side effects posed by Propecia, finding that the sexual dysfunction continued after the patient discontinued the use of the product. Although only a small percentage of Propecia users experienced sexual side effects, the FDA urged Merck to update their product labels.
In 2011, Merck updated the Propecia labels to include a warning that some users had experienced erectile dysfunction. The labels now contain warnings about the potential of Propecia libido disorders, orgasm disorders and ejaculation disorders that may last after the patient discontinues use of the finasteride product. These sexual side effects are especially concerning because many users of Propecia are of childbearing age.
Many men are filing lawsuits, alleging that Merck was aware of these risks but failed to warn their patients about the possible health consequences associated with long-term use of the drug.
Your Legal Rights
There are currently hundreds of Propecia side effects lawsuits that have been filed against Merck. If you have suffered sexual dysfunction after using finasteride to treat male pattern baldness, contact a Propecia attorney to find out your legal options. You may be able to take legal action against Merck and recover financially for your pain and suffering you experienced after using the drug. For more information, visit the Propecia Loss of Sex Drive, Sexual Dysfunction Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Investigation page.
Updated March 29th, 2013
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