Propecia Lawsuits

The side effects of Propecia, a popular hair loss medication, was linked to an increased risk of erectile dysfunction in men, decreased libido and other sexual problems, which have been permanent in some cases.  

PROPECIA LAWSUIT STATUS: Claims were reviewed for men diagnosed with erectile dysfunction or other permanent sexual problems. Compensation was sought through Propecia lawsuits as a result of the drug maker’s failure to warn about the sexual dysfunction risks associated with the use of the medication. 

AboutLawsuits.com is no longer reviewing new claims involving Propecia side effects. This page is maintained for informational purposes only.

Propecia Lawsuits

MANUFACTURER: Merck

OVERVIEW: Propecia (finasteride) was originally developed by Merck as an enlarged prostate treatment and marketed as Proscar in 1992. It was later approved to treat male pattern baldness, when it was given the name Propecia. 

In 2008, Propecia brought in $429 million in revenue for Merck. 

In April 2012, the FDA announced that Merck had agreed to update the Propecia warning label, adding indications that men have reported suffering permanent sexual dysfunction after taking the medication. Prior to that time, the drug maker had suggested that any reports of sexual problems with Propecia resolved after the medication was stopped.

PROPECIA SEXUAL SIDE EFFECTS: In 2008, the Swedish Medical Products Agency began investigating reports that Propecia erectile dysfunction problems were becoming permanent in some men and in 2009 the agency determined that for some men the side effects could indeed be persistent even after they stopped taking Propecia.

In early 2011, U.S. researchers also found evidence that the Propecia side effects could be permanent. The drug is a member of a class of medications known as 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, which have been linked to loss of libido, depression, erectile dysfunction, reduced semen production and growth of male breast tissue.

Allegations raised in Propecia lawsuits filed against Merck argue that the drug maker failed to provide adequate warnings to men in the United States, despite more specific and detailed warnings provided in other countries.

In 2008, warnings in Europe stated that erectile dysfunction problems from Propecia may persist even after the patient discontinues use of the medication. In 2009, the warning label in Europe was changed again to warn about the risk of permanent erectile dysfunction.

In the United States, a mounting number of men are now stepping forward to report that they are continuing to experience sexual dysfunction that has greatly diminished their quality of life after taking Propecia to improve their appearance. In the federal court system, the Propecia litigation has been centralized as part of an MDL before U.S. District Judge John Gleeson in the Eastern District of New York.