Iowa Plaintiff Claims Propecia Sexual Dysfunction and Cognitive Problems

On November 17, 2012, a new plaintiff chose to file a Propecia lawsuit against the manufacturer of the male pattern baldness medication Merck & Co. According to the filing, the plaintiff sustained cognitive impairment and sexual dysfunction after extended use of the medication.

The Iowa plaintiff is a 33-year-old man. He alleges that the company knew or should have known that Propecia (finasteride) can cause a wide range of side effects such as diminished desire for sex, infertility, decreased volume of ejaculation, and erectile dysfunction.

He seeks compensatory and punitive damages for his injuries, rehabilitation and economic losses, emotional distress, anxiety, and medical care, as well as any other relief deemed good and proper by the court.

Lawsuit joins MDL 2331 located in New York

The plaintiff took the medication from 2008 through 2009 to treat his male pattern hair loss. While taking it, however, he developed sexual side effects and severe mental impairment. He had never suffered from either before taking Propecia and claims to still suffer from them even after he ceased its use.

The lawsuit claims that because of the lasting side effects, the plaintiff has suffered substantial pain and suffering and a diminished quality of life. The filing holds Merck liable due to allegations that the company deliberately concealed data that showed a higher risk of long-term or permanent injuries to people while they used Propecia and after they stopped using it.

The case joins the ongoing MDL No. 2331 against Merck for Propecia, located in the Eastern District of New York.

A high percentage of men experience sexual problems from Propecia

For many men, the symptoms continue even after the stop taking the medication. Published clinical studies indicate that the rate of sexual dysfunction connected to finasteride are as high as 39%. In addition, only 50% see their symptoms alleviated after they stop using Propecia.

Due to the accusations that they hid information, Merck updated the information insert of the Propecia package in 2011. The new warning includes the possibility of permanent sexual side effects and mental impairment after the medicine has been discontinued by the patient.

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