Since the early 1990s, scientists and medical researchers have found that finasteride use is linked to sexual dysfunction in the form of erectile dysfunction, loss of libido, ejaculation disorder, and other ailments. This chemical is the active chemical in the hair loss drug Propecia (finasteride 1mg) and the benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) drug, Proscar (finasteride 5mg).
A 2001 article by C. Schulman in Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases titled “Impact of treatment of BPH on sexuality.” states “The 5alpha-reductase inhibitor, finasteride, can result in ED in 5-9% of patients and ejaculation disorders in 0.8-2.0%.” This rate of erectile dysfunction is significantly higher than that reported by Merck & Co., Inc., the manufacturer of Proscar. Schulman asserts “In addition to information on the efficacy of a particular therapy, patients should be informed of side effects, in particular those relating to sexual function, in order that they can make informed treatment decisions.” I couldn’t agree more.
An article titled “Finasteride in the treatment of clinical benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review of randomised trials.” published by JE Edwards and RA Moore of the Pain Research and Nuffield Department of Anaesthetics at The University of Oxford in BMC Urology in 2002 also studied the connection between sexual dysfunction and Proscar. The authors write “Significantly more sexual dysfunction, impotence, ejaculation disorder and decreased libido occurred with finasteride at 12 months; the NNH for any sexual dysfunction at 12 months was 14” in a study that reviewed nearly 9,000 finasteride and 6,000 control patient files from other studies. An “NNH” of 14 means that in the first year of study, one of every 14 patients using Proscar will suffer sexual dysfunction (who wouldn’t if the drug was not used).
In 2000, an article titled “Medical therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia: a review of the literature.” appearing in the July edition of European Urology makes a brief albeit important reference to the link between sexual dysfunction and Proscar. Studying a variety of treatments for BPH, the research team remarks (led by GM Clifford), “They are, however, both associated with an increased risk of sexual dysfunction,” referencing finasteride (Proscar) and tamsulosin (Flomax).
All of these papers were published more than ten years before the manufacturer sufficiently updated warning labels. Due to the fact that Merck & Co., Inc. failed to adequately warn users of the risk for sexual side effects, a number of Proscar lawsuits have been filed. If you or a loved one used Proscar and suffered sexual side effects, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation. For a free, no-obligation case consultation, contact our team of Proscar lawyers at the information provided below. We have the experience, resources, and skills required to win the justice you deserve. Call today and see how we can help.
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