Propecia Lawsuits

Propecia and Proscar are brand names for finasteride, a synthetic antiandrogen that prevents enzymes from converting testosterone to dihyudrotestosterone (DHT), also called androgen or male sex hormone. In other words, Propecia, Proscar and other finasterides block DHT.

It is the high levels of DHT that are believed to be responsible for an enlarged prostate as well as prostate cancer. Additionally, it is believed that DHT causes hair follicles to shrink, which leads to male pattern baldness (MPB).

How is Propecia Used?

In 1992, the FDA approved the use of finasteride under the brand name Proscar to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also referred to as benign enlargement of the prostate (BEP).

In 1997, finasteride was approved to treat male pattern baldness (MPB) and sold under the brand name Propecia.

Dangers of Propecia, Proscar, and other Finasterides

Over the last several years, men have reported permanent sexual side effects, including impotence. Nevertheless, the drug’s manufacturer, Merck, only listed warnings about the side effects as follows:

“In clinical studies for Propecia, a small number of men experienced certain sexual side effects, such as less desire for sex, difficulty in achieving an erection or a decrease in the amount of semen. Each of these side effects occurred in less than 2 percent of men and went away in men who stopped taking Propecia because of them.”

• Gynecomastia (male breast enlargement) and breast tenderness
• Dimpling of the breast skin
• Inverted nipple
• Lump in the breast or under the arm
• Persistent crusting or scaling of the nipple
• Clear or bloody discharge from the nipple
• Sore on the skin of the breast that does not heal
• Redness or swelling of the breast
• Decreased interest in sexual intercourse
• Erectile dysfunction
• Loss in sexual ability, desire, drive or performance
• Decreased amount of semen
• Abnormal ejaculation
• Testicular pain

Additional Propecia side effects:

• Chills
• Cold sweats
• Confusion
• Feeling faint or dizzy when getting up from a lying or sitting position
• Bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs or feet
• Hives, welts or itchy skin
• Rapid weight gain
• Redness of the skin or skin rash
• Swelling of the lips and face
• Tingling of the hands or feet
• Unusual weight gain or loss
• Abdominal or stomach pain
• Back pain
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Runny nose
• Sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• Sneezing
• Stuffy nose

However, according to the package labeling, these side effects should be temporary and cease once treatment was discontinued.