Just a quick note about a finasteride study I recently read in Archives of Internal Medicine. For clarity, finasteride is the active chemical in the hair loss drug Propecia and the benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) drug Proscar, and both Propecia and Proscar are manufactured by Merck & Co., Inc.
This study, titled “Maintenance of clinical efficacy with finasteride therapy for 24 months in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. The Finasteride Study Group.”, by E. Stoner of Merck Research Laboratories, found that finasteride was effective in reducing the size of the prostate in BPH, as might be expected in a published company-funded study, and that “Decreased libido and ejaculation disorders were the only drug-related adverse experiences reported in more than 1% of patients.” (emphasis added)
While many studies published in the 1990s showed that finasteride was associated with sexual side-effects, it is important to note the specific language used by here by Merck: “more than 1%”. As critical readers, we can see that the phase “more than 1% of users” does not really provide us with much useful information about the true risk for these side effects: reading the company’s “more than 1%” would allow the logical conclusion that 2% of users suffer sexual side effects, and 100% of users suffer sexual side effects.
Thankfully, we have many independent researchers to show us that the risk for sexual side effects lies between 3 and 10%. The fact that Merck fails to explain the real risk for sexual side effects associated with its product has sparked a number of Proscar lawsuits and Propecia lawsuits, currently being filed across the country.
If you or a loved one used Proscar or Propecia and suffered sexual side effects as a result, you too may be entitled to significant financial compensation. For a free, no-obligation case consultation, contact our team of Proscar lawyers and Propecia lawyers at the information provided below. We have the compassion, resources, and experience required to win the justice you deserve.
(855) 452 – 5529