Some Things Patients May Not Know About Propecia Side Effects

Columbus, OHWhen patients first talk to a doctor about hair loss, concern about Propecia side effects may not be at the top of their list of concerns. They probably would not consider that there is a risk of so-called Propecia sexual dysfunction or even know that there is at least one Propecia lawsuit in the works concerning side effects. All they are probably worried about is their hair loss.

There's a very good chance they would have no idea that Propecia is similar to a drug called Proscar, which has been linked in some studies to an increased risk of high-grade prostate cancer. Propecia has the same active ingredient as Proscar—finasteride—although Propecia has that ingredient at one-fifth the dose. But that similarity is enough for the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to include a warning on the Propecia label about the risk of high-grade prostate cancer.

It probably would not occur to them that there might be a risk of sexual side effects in a medication that is used to treat male pattern hair loss. But according to two studies published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine (as reported by CBS News; 03/21/11), men who take Propecia could be at an increased risk of impotence, erectile dysfunction or reduced libido.

In fact, around eight percent of the men surveyed for one study said they suffered erectile dysfunction, while four percent said they suffered reduced libido. Furthermore, according to those studies, those side effects could last years after discontinuing medication—up to 40 months after stopping Propecia use.

Some men who have allegedly suffered Propecia side effects have filed a lawsuit against Merck, maker of Propecia, alleging they were not adequately warned about the risks associated with the medication. One lawsuit was filed by Eddie Sebastia, who alleges he experienced erectile dysfunction, testicular pain and problems with his libido after using both Propecia and Proscar.

Allegations against Merck include that patients were not adequately warned about the risk of sexual side effects and that the drugmaker warned only that the sexual side effects are temporary when they can be long-term. They further argue that patients in Europe received stronger warnings about Propecia than patients in the US did.

Merck has said it will vigorously defend against the lawsuits.