Texas Couple Sues Merck Over Propecia Sexual Side Effects

By Sarah Mirando | September 12, 2012

Category: Pharmaceuticals

By Sarah Pierce

A Texas couple has filed a Propecia lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York alleging the hair loss drug caused Propecia sexual side effects, including erectile dysfunction, that have damaged their marriage. Their case joins other Propecia lawsuits filed by couples across the country who say Merck failed to warn of serious sexual side effects of Propecia, including permanent sexual dysfunction.

Plaintiffs Phil and Clare Edwards allege in the Propecia sexual side effects lawsuit, filed August 9, 2012, that Phil was prescribed and took Propecia from 1998 through 2001 to treat his male pattern hair loss. Before using Propecia, Phil did not suffer from sexual dysfunction, low testosterone, reduced sex drive, depression or cognitive impairment, his Propecia attorney says. However, he allegedly developed these side effects after taking Propecia (finasteride), and continued to suffer from them even after he stopped using the drug.

According to his Propecia lawsuit, Phil continues to suffer sexual dysfunction and cognitive impairment, which have caused him significant pain and suffering, as well as diminished quality of life. He is charging Merck with fraudulent concealment, strict liability, negligence, breach of express and implied warranties, fraud and negligent infliction of emotional distress. In addition to seeking compensatory, special punitive and/or exemplary damages through the Propecia sexual dysfunction lawsuit, Phil’s wife is also seeking “loss of consortium” damages for the harm her husband’s Propecia erectile dysfunction, reduced sex drive and low testosterone caused her and their marriage.

Merck Failed to Warn that Propecia Sexual Side Effects May Be Permanent

Propecia lawsuits like the Edwards’ say Merck knew or should have known that taking Propecia can increase the risk of persistent and/or permanent sexual side effects such as erectile dysfunction, low libido, reduced sex drive, low testosterone, infertility, and more, but failed to warn U.S. consumers. While Merck did provide a warning of Propecia sexual side effects, it advised consumers that “a limited number” of users may experience sexual side effects and that these would go away after discontinuing use of the drug.

However, in 2003, clinical studies showed that only half of the 39% of men who suffered Propecia sexual dysfunction had their side effects resolved upon discontinuing Propecia. The other half experienced permanent sexual dysfunction.

In 2006, the Swedish Medical Products Agency began investigating reports of persistent sexual dysfunction in men taking Propecia (finasteride). Two years later, in 2008, Merck changed the warning label for Propecia in Sweden to include that “persistent erectile dysfunction” may occur even after discontinuing use of the drug. This new warning was made to labels in other countries, but not in the U.S. Failing to update the U.S. warning label is fraudulent and reckless, Propecia lawsuit attorneys say, and U.S. consumers deserve to be compensated for Merck’s wrongful conduct.

If you or your husband took Propecia and suffered side effects such as sexual dysfunction, erectile dysfunction, low sex drive, low libido, depression, cognitive impairment, or more, speak with a Propecia lawsuit attorney today.

Receive a Free Legal Review of your claims by visiting the Propecia Loss of Sex Drive, Sexual Dysfunction Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Investigation. Propecia lawyers are standing by to review your claims, and will advise you if you have a case to seek compensation through a Propecia loss of sex drive lawsuit, Propecia erectile dysfunction lawsuit, or Propecia class action lawsuit settlement.

Updated September 12th, 2012

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