In a 2012 edition of International Journal of Clinical Practice, an article by SA Kaplan et al. titled “A 5-year retrospective analysis of 5α-reductase inhibitors in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia: finasteride has comparable urinary symptom efficacy and prostate volume reduction, but less sexual side effects and breast complications than dutasteride.” gave important insight into the connection between finasteride (the active ingredient in the hair loss drug Propecia and the BPH drug Proscar) and sexual side effects.  For clarity, finasteride is an example of a 5alpha-reductase inhibitor.

The team writes “A retrospective analysis of 378 consecutive men treated with 5α-reductase inhibitor monotherapy between January 2004 and September 2009 (197 on finasteride and 211 on dutasteride) in a single clinic was performed” and states “Patients were evaluated at 3 months, 1 year and yearly thereafter.”

Results showed that “The incidence of erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory dysfunction and decreased libido resulting in discontinuation from therapy was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in the dutasteride (5.1%, 2.4%, 2.7% respectively) compared with the finasteride (2.1%, 1.8%, 1.4% respectively) group.”

While one drug was found to be more highly linked to sexual side effects than finasteride, the manufacturers of finasteride drugs still ought to make patients aware of all risks associated.  Because this did not occur, a number of Proscar and Propecia lawsuits have been filed.

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 Proscar lawyers and Propecia lawyers at the information provided below.  We have the experience, resources, and skills required to win the justice you deserve.

(855) 452 – 5529

justinian@dangerousdrugs.us

In 2007, five years before Proscar and Propecia warning labels were required to be updated by the FDA to include information on sexual side effects, an important paper was published in Clinical Therapeutics by MJ Naslund titled “A review of the clinical efficacy and safety of 5alpha-reductase inhibitors for the enlarged prostate.”.

This study reviewed “the natural history of enlarged prostate and the data supporting management of this condition with alpha-blocker and 5ARI therapy, either as monotherapy or combination therapy, for symptomatic relief and a reduction in long-term disease progression.”  To be clear, the active chemical in Propecia and Proscar is finasteride, a drug in the 5alpha-reductase inhibitor class.

Evaluating a number of studies published in MedLine from 1996-2006, the team found that finasteride was effective in reducing prostate size and improving other benign prostatic hyperplasia symptoms.  It was also found that “sexual dysfunction [was] the most frequently reported adverse effect” and affected between 1-8% of patients.  Warning labels for the above-described drugs suggested no rate above 4%.

Because of this discrepancy, a number of Proscar lawsuits and Propecia lawsuits have been filed.  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 Proscar lawyers and Propecia lawyers at the information provided below.  We have the experience, resources, and skills required to win the justice you deserve.

(855) 452 – 5529

justinian@dangerousdrugs.us

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

justinian@dangerousdrugs.us

Though the warning labels for Propecia (finasteride 1mg) and Proscar (finasteride 5mg) were not updated to include information about long-term sexual side effects until April, 2012, research has been available to the public for over a decade that shows finasteride is connected with such adverse effects.  Here, we discuss an article appearing in the November, 1996 edition of Canadian Medical Association Journal titled “Efficacy and safety of finasteride therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia: results of a 2-year randomized controlled trial (the PROSPECT study). PROscar Safety Plus Efficacy Canadian Two year Study.” by J.C. Nickel et al.

The objective of this research was to “evaluate the efficacy and safety of 2 years’ treatment of moderate benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with finasteride” and consisted in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.  This means that neither participants nor researchers knew whether drugs administered were placebo or real, so neither participant nor researcher bias could confound results.

In all, 472 men aged 45-80 completed the two-year study.  “After 1 month of receiving a placebo (run-in period), patients were given either finasteride (5 mg/d) or a placebo for 2 years.”

While symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia and size of prostate decreased with finasteride treatment and urinary flow rate increased, “the incidence of adverse events related to sexual dysfunction were significantly higher in the finasteride group than in the placebo group (ejaculation disorder 7.7% v. 1.7% and impotence 15.8% v. 6.3%; p < or = 0.01 for both parameters).”

Due to the fact that the manufacturers of Proscar failed to update warning labels and inform patients of the risks associated with the drug, 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.

(855) 452 – 5529

justinian@dangerousdrugs.us

An article from the October, 1999 edition of Urology went great lengths to provide important insight into the connection between finasteride (the active chemical in Propecia, Proscar, and other drugs) and sexual side-effects.  This article is titled “Effect of finasteride on bother and other health-related quality of life aspects associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia. PLESS Study Group. Proscar Long-term Efficacy and Safety Study.” and was conducted by R. Bruskewitz et al.

Aiming “To investigate the long-term effects of finasteride on bother and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in men with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia” (BPH) – that is, men treated with Proscar, the team conducted “A large prospective 4-year placebo-controlled trial (PLESS) of 3040 men with moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms and an enlarged prostate.”

Results showed that “Significantly greater reductions in bother score were seen for finasteride compared with placebo at every time point after 4 months”, and, “Analysis of bother scores by baseline serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA), as it is highly correlated with prostate volume, suggested greater differences from placebo for men with PSA 1.4 ng/mL or greater”.

“Comparable results were seen for worry at each time point and embarrassment due to urinary symptoms in the last 2 years of the trial. Mean changes in sexual interest and satisfaction were somewhat better for the placebo group overall, as has been previously reported, but little difference between treatments was found in sexual satisfaction measures for men with PSA 1.4 ng/mL or greater.”

Concluding that “sexual satisfaction and sexual drive were slightly worse for finasteride overall,” this study can be used in a Proscar lawsuit to demonstrate to court that Merck, the manufacturer of that drug, knew, or should have known the risks associated with their product.  Because many men have used Proscar unaware of these risks, many lawsuits have in fact 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.

(855) 452 – 5529

justinian@dangerousdrugs.us

In 2010, an article appearing in the October edition of medical journal The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews titled “Finasteride for benign prostatic hyperplasia.” helps us further understand the connection between use of finasteride (the active chemical in benign prostatic hyperplasia drug Proscar) and adverse sexual side effects.

This research team, led by J. Tacklind, states “Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a non-malignant enlargement of the prostate in aging men, can cause bothersome urinary symptoms (intermittency, weak stream, straining, urgency, frequency, incomplete emptying). Finasteride, a five-alpha reductase inhibitor (5ARI), blocks the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, reduces prostate size, and is commonly used to treat symptoms associated with BPH”, aiming to “compare the clinical effectiveness and harms of finasteride versus placebo and active controls in the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).”

However, searching research databases and evaluating previously-conducted studies, the team also found that finasteride was associated with sexual side effects, though it performed its aim of prostate size reduction well.  Tacklind et al. (2010) write “men taking finasteride are at increased risk for impotence, erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, and ejaculation disorder, versus placebo. Versus doxazosin, which has higher rates of dizziness, postural hypotension, and asthenia, men taking finasteride are at increased risk for impotence, erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, and ejaculation disorder.”

Due to the fact that a number of men have used Proscar (and Propecia, a hair-loss drug also containing finasteride), manufactured by Merck & Co., Inc., unaware of the risk for adverse sexual side effects, a number of Proscar lawsuits have been filed.  If you or a loved one used Proscar and suffered sexual side effects, contact our team of Proscar lawyers at the information provided below, for you may be entitled to significant financial compensation.  We have the experience, resources, and skills required to win the justice you deserve.

(855) 452 – 5529

justinian@dangerousdrugs.us

Published in the April, 2014 edition of JAMA Internal Medicine, an article by WQ Li et al. titled “Sildenafil Use and Increased Risk of Incident Melanoma in US Men: A Prospective Cohort Study.” provides us with important insight into the connection between Viagra (sildenafil) and melanoma, a deadly skin cancer affecting millions worldwide every year.

Li et al. (2014) writes “sildenafil use increases the invasiveness of melanoma cells, which raises the possible adverse effect of sildenafil use on melanoma risk.”  As such, the team aimed to “evaluate the association between sildenafil use and risk of incident melanoma among men in the United States”, in a study of 25,848 men with erectile dysfunction who used Viagra.

“We identified 142 melanoma, 580 [squamous cell carcinoma], and 3030 [basal cell carcinoma] cases during follow-up (2000-2010).”

“Recent sildenafil use at baseline was significantly associated with an increased risk of subsequent melanoma with a multivariate-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 1.84 (95% CI, 1.04-3.22).”  That is, Viagra use was found to raise the risk of melanoma by 84%, nearly double.

And, it was found that “A secondary analysis excluding those reporting major chronic diseases at baseline did not appreciably change the findings; the HR of melanoma was 2.24 (95% CI, 1.05-4.78) for sildenafil use at baseline and 2.77 (1.32-5.85) for ever use”, placing the risk for melanoma at more than 200%.

Because the manufacturers of Viagra have failed to notify users of these risks in the Viagra Warning Label, a number of Viagra melanoma lawsuits have been filed.  If you or a loved one used Viagra and suffered melanoma, you may be entitled to significant finanical compensation for your injury.  For a free, no-obligation case consultation, contact our team of Viagra melanoma 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.

(855) 452 – 5529

justinian@dangerousdrugs.us

In recent years, several important studies have shown that testosterone therapy is associated with an increased risk for heart attack, stroke, and even death, especially in older men.  Mainly, these studies have proposed, but not detailed, the biochemical mechanism by which increases in testosterone levels may pose these such risks, and this was not their aim.  Those studies, including the Vigen et al. (2013) report in Journal of the American Medical Association, the Finkel et al. (2014) report in PLoS One, and the  Xu et al. (2013) report in BMC Medicine, work to frame further research: we must first know that testosterone is linked to adverse cardiac events before we may determine how.

Scientists and doctors have found that testosterone therapy increases hemoglobin and hematocrit levels in the blood.  Hemoglobin is an iron-containing molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body, and hematocrit is the percent (by volume) of red blood cells in the blood.

Erythrocytosis, an elevation in red blood cell count, constitutes a serious clinical problem, and if a case becomes one of polycythaemia (highly elevated red blood cell count), can lead to thrombosis (blood clot) which in turn may cause heart attack or stroke. 

In 2013, Guo et al. published results of a study that aimed to determine how testosterone stimulates the production of red blood cells (“erythropoiesis”).  To do this, the team studied the process in mice, and concluded “testosterone inhibits hepcidin transcription through its interaction with BMP/Smad signaling” and that “Testosterone administration is associated with increased iron incorporation into red blood cells.”  To be clear, hepcidin is a hormone that regulates iron levels in the blood.  Without (as much) hepcidin, iron levels in the blood rise; more testosterone leads to more hemoglobin.

In 2014, Bachman et al. confirmed these results using human subjects and a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial in which patients were given either testosterone gel or a placebo drug.  Results showed 7% increase in hemoglobin and 10% increased hematocrit levels among patients in the testosterone therapy group.  Unfortunately, the study stopped prematurely due to an increased rate of adverse cardiovascular events among study patients.

Further, a number of studies have demonstrated that a high hematocrit level is an independent risk factor for stroke.  The normal hematocrit level is between 40.7-50.3% for males.  The study found by following the above hyperlink determined that men whose hematocrit level is above 51% face a risk for stroke increased by more than 2.5 times.  With the Bachman 2014 study finding an increase in hematocrit levels of 10%, normal men using testosterone therapy may easily fall well above the normal range and face excess risk.  Another study showed that men with hematocrit levels above 46% faced a 1.5-fold increased risk for blood clot.  One proposed reason for this is that elevated hematocrit levels increase blood viscosity, thus raising the risk for thrombosis and stroke.

Another study, dubbed “The Framingham Study” linked high hematocrit levels with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, stroke, and Ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Testosterone Therapy Lawsuits

Due to the fact that the manufacturers of testosterone therapy products, such as AndroGel, have time and again failed to warn users of the risk for adverse cardiac events, stroke, and death, a number of AndroGel testosterone therapy lawsuits have been filed.  If you or a loved one used AndroGel and suffered one of the above-listed side effects, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation.

For a free, no-obligation case consultation, contact our team of AndroGel 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.

(855) 452 – 5529

justinian@dangerousdrugs.us

Our AndroGel Lawsuit Information page is a great place to start if you have any questions about AndroGel.

 

In 1996, that is, 16 years before the FDA required that Merck & Co., Inc. update warning labels for products containing finasteride, such as the hair loss drug Propecia and the BPH drug Proscar, a study by S.C. Chueh et al. was published in The Journal of The Formosan Medical Association titled “Treating benign prostatic hyperplasia with finasteride in Chinese men: one-year experience.” acknowledging that very risk.

About their study, the Chueh (1996) team wrote “To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of finasteride in the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), 50 patients with symptomatic BPH were initially evaluated in a double blind, placebo-controlled study for 6 months. The patients were then treated with finasteride in an open extension study in which all received the same dose of finasteride (5 mg/day) for another 6 months.”

Though prostate size decreased with finasteride treatment, researchers found that 4% of subjects suffered decreased libido, and another 4% suffered impotence.  After the study period (12 months), another 2% suffered decreased libido.  While this study was overall small in size, and not actually intending to test the prevalence of sexual side effects in finasteride patients, it can be used in a Propecia lawsuits or a Proscar lawsuit to demonstrate to a court that the Merck knew, or should have known, the risks associated with its products.

If you or a loved one used Propecia or 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 and Propecia lawyers at the information provided below.  We have the experience, resources, and skills required to win the justice you deserve.

(855) 452 – 5529

justinian@dangerousdrugs.us

Published in 2011 – over a year prior to Propecia Warning Label Updates, a paper by A.M. Traish et al. titled “Adverse side effects of 5α-reductase inhibitors therapy: persistent diminished libido and erectile dysfunction and depression in a subset of patients.” illustrated important connections between chemicals like finasteride (the active ingredient in drugs Propecia and Proscar) and adverse sexual side effects such as decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and others.

The team writes “5α-reductase inhibitors (5α-RIs), finasteride and dutasteride, have been approved for treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms, due to benign prostatic hyperplasia, with marked clinical efficacy. Finasteride is also approved for treatment of hair loss (androgenetic alopecia). Although the adverse side effects of these agents are thought to be minimal, the magnitude of adverse effects on sexual function, gynecomastia, depression, and quality of life remains ill-defined.”  As such, the goal of this report was to “discuss 5α-RIs therapy, the potential persistent side effects, and the possible mechanisms responsible for these undesirable effects.”

Among men who used finasteride, the team found that “Prolonged adverse effects on sexual function such as erectile dysfunction and diminished libido are reported by a subset of men, raising the possibility of a causal relationship.”  Traish et al. (2011) suggest “discussion with patients on the potential sexual side effects of 5α-RIs before commencing therapy” and advocate for alternative therapy when applicable.

Due to the fact that a number of men have used Propecia and other finasteride-containing drugs unaware of the risk for adverse sexual side effects, a number of Propecia lawsuits have been filed.  If you or a loved one used Propecia or Proscar and suffered adverse sexual side effects, 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 experience, resources, and skills required to win the justice you deserve.  Call today and see how we can help.

(855) 452 – 5529

justinian@dangerousrugs.us