Propecia Sexual Problems Lawsuit
Drug manufacturer Merck is facing a dangerous medications lawsuit alleging that, while European men were warned that the hair loss and prostate drug Propecia may cause sexual problems, American men did not get the same warning.
Two plaintiffs, Steven Rossello, of Harlington, Texas, and Justin Herman, of Las Vegas, Nevada, filed a lawsuit against Propecia manufacturer Merck in February in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. Both men received Propecia prescriptions to treat male pattern hair loss and subsequently suffered severe and possibly permanent sexual dysfunction.
In the Propecia lawsuit, it is noted that there is a significant difference in the warnings about the risk of Propecia sexual problems in Europe versus the warnings to U.S. Propecia users.
European Propecia labels reveal that, even after a patient discontinues Propecia treatment, erectile dysfunction problems may persist. These warnings came in 2008, after a 2006 investigation into reports of enduring erectile dysfunction linked to Propecia was conducted by the Swedish Medical Products Agency.
The conclusion that Propecia can cause permanent erectile dysfunction was reached by the Swedish Medical Products Agency by August 2008, causing Merck to change Propecia labels in Europe. In the United States, however, Propecia labels contradict those used in Europe, stating that “these side effects went away in men who stopped taking PROPECIA because of them.”
Propecia (finasteride), originally marketed as Proscar by Merck, was approved to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia in 1992. Propecia is also approved to treat male pattern baldness.
Last month, a study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine by U.S. researchers concluded that Propecia side effects were linked to sexual problems in men. According to researchers, Propecia and other drugs that belong to the class known as 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors can cause the following side effects:
- Loss of libido
- Depression
- Erectile dysfunction
- Reduced semen production
- Growth of male breast tissue (gynecomastia)
According to the study, in some cases these Propecia side effects can be permanent.
The recently filed Propecia lawsuit alleges negligence on the part of Merck. Other charges include failure to warn, strict product liability, and breach of warranty. The two plaintiffs seek compensatory damages of more than $100,000, in addition to punitive damages and court costs for injuries, emotional stress, and anxiety.
Contact a Propecia Lawsuit Attorney
If you took Propecia to treat male pattern baldness or prostate problems and suffered subsequent sexual dysfunction, you may be entitled to financial compensation in a dangerous medication Propecia lawsuit. Contact an attorney today for a free review of your claim.
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