Propecia Lawsuits Alleging Permanent Sexual Side Effects Mount
By Christina Drury
The Propecia lawsuits keep growing in numbers. On November 14, 2012, an Ohio man filed as part of an existing MDL action in the Eastern District of New York. Among the many Propecia side effects that the man is claiming in the lawsuit is that he experienced erectile dysfunction. His Propecia lawsuit is brought forth as he is seeking compensation for fraud, strict liability, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and his wife is claiming loss of consortium. Neither Doctor nor Patient was Notified of Propecia Side Effects
Despite the fact that the male pattern baldness drug was approved for use by the FDA in 1997, there was no indication until at least 2011 that the drug may cause side effects that affect sexual function. The man in the Propecia injury lawsuit claims that he began taking Propecia in May of 2002. In March of 2003, he began experiencing erectile dysfunction – which he had not experienced prior to taking Propecia. Also on the list of Propecia side effects was the fact that the man began experiencing cognitive issues as well. He discontinued the use of the drug in 2004, yet still experienced ongoing Propecia side effects.
During the time that the plaintiff was taking Propecia, neither he nor his doctor was aware of the fact that there were risks of ongoing Propecia side effects, while taking the medication, or after discontinuing it.
Merck Updated Label in Sweden, but not United States
Merck – a Swedish Manufacturer – had been scrutinized by the Swedish Medicines Products Agency in 2006 after a rash of complaints were made stating that the Propecia side effects lingered even after discontinuing the product. The label on Propecia was changed in 2008, in Sweden, to reflect the fact that ongoing Propecia sexual side effects may occur. The manufacturer failed, however, to change the label in the United States until 2011.
The Journal of Sexual Medicine has published two studies, both of which show that 90% of the participants in the study have experienced an ongoing battle with Propecia sexual dysfunction including low libido, decreased arousal and erectile dysfunction.
Increasing Number of Propecia Lawsuits sparks MDL
Because the number of lawsuits in regards to the use of Propecia is growing, the action has been consolidated as of April 2012 in the Eastern District of New York. This allows the ongoing litigation to be held efficiently as possible for all of the parties involved.
In the midst of the pending litigations against Merck, it appears that the sales of Propecia have been on a decline with sales registering lower at the end of the June 2012 accounting period.
Those who have been injured as a result of Propecia side effects can still become part of the ongoing litigation. For more information on how you can submit your information to attorneys already involved, feel free to visit our Propecia Loss of Sex Drive, Sexual Dysfunction Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Investigation page. You can submit your information here as well as read about the litigation details.
