In 2003, a study by H. Wessells et al., a team from The University of Washington in Seattle, titled “Incidence and severity of sexual adverse experiences in finasteride and placebo-treated men with benign prostatic hyperplasia.” provided an important early illustration of the connection between drugs containing finasteride (such as Propecia and Proscar) and sexual side-effects.
It is worth noting that Merck & Co., Inc. did not update warning labels for these drugs for another nine years, and only after such action was required by the United States Food and Drug Administration. Because of this failure to warn, a number of Proscar lawsuits and Propecia lawsuits have been filed. To be clear, Proscar is a drug that uses finasteride in 5mg doses in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, and Propecia is a drug that uses finasteride in 1mg daily doses in the treatment of male pattern hair loss.
This study “was a 4-year, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial assessing the efficacy and safety of finasteride 5 mg in 3040 men, aged 45 to 78 years, with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia, enlarged prostates, and no evidence of prostate cancer.”
Results showed that “During year 1 of the study, 15% of finasteride-treated patients and 7% of placebo-treated patients had sexual AEs that were considered drug related by the investigator”. The team found that “Sexual AEs resolved while continuing therapy in 12% of finasteride patients and 19% of placebo patients” and “Only 4% of finasteride and 2% of placebo patients discontinued the study because of sexual AEs.”
If you or a loved one used Proscar or Propecia and suffered sexual side effects, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation. For a free, no-obligation case consultation, contact our team of Propecia lawyers and Proscar lawyers at the information provided below. We have the compassion, resources, and experience required to win the justice you deserve. Call today and see how we can help.
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