Propecia Lawsuit Alleges Multiple Side Effects from Hair Loss Drug

In a new Propecia sexual side effects lawsuit, the plaintiff alleges he suffered numerous sexual problems after taking the hair loss drug. The complaint was recently filed in multidistrict litigation in New York, along with more than 140 other Propecia lawsuits alleging similar side effects.

Propecia lawsuit added to MDL

This new Propecia lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York on March 28, 2013. The complaint was filed directly into the multidistrict litigation in that court, stating that venue was proper for the federal case. The complaint also requests that after pre-trial proceedings, the lawsuit be remanded back to U.S. District Court in Arizona, where the plaintiff currently resides.

Multidistrict litigation was established in April, 2012, as the number of lawsuits concerning Propecia sexual dysfunction continued to grow. Multidistrict litigation, also referred to as an MDL, is established in situations where there are multiple lawsuits filed with similar complaints, for the purpose of streamlining pre-trial proceedings. The New York location was chosen due to the proximity of the offices of the defendant and manufacturer of Propecia, Merck & Co., Inc.

18 months of Propecia use led to permanent side effects

In this new Propecia sexual side effects lawsuit, the plaintiff claims he began taking Propecia to treat male pattern baldness for about 18 months, until 2004. At the time, the plaintiff was unaware of the risks associated with the drug, even though Merck began receiving reports of sexual side effects as early as the 1990s. Instead of adding warnings to their product label, the company continued to market their product as a “cure” for hair loss treatment, while understating the potential risks of serious and devastating side effects.

The plaintiff reports that he suffered from loss of libido, ejaculation and orgasm disorders, fatigue, and mental and emotional disorders, including anxiety and depression. Those Propecia side effects have been “serious, persistent and permanent,” according to the complaint, with the plaintiff continuing to suffer symptoms long after stopping use of the drug. The plaintiff also states in his complaint that prior to using Propecia, he experienced no sexual dysfunction, or fatigue and depression.

The plaintiff has incurred, and will continue to incur, medical costs related to treatment and rehabilitation, pharmaceutical expenses and constant anxiety that his side effects will never resolve and that his condition might even worsen in the future.

Propecia sexual side effects ongoing problem

Sexual side effects have been a persistent complaint for some men who have taken Propecia and the lower dose version of the drug Proscar. These medications, also known by the generic label finasteride, have been linked to erectile dysfunction, ejaculation and orgasm disorders, and penile deformities. Numerous medical professionals have voiced concern that sexual side effects may be more common than Merck states on the product label, and that symptoms may continue long after the medication is stopped.

This complaint cites a report from a physician in Kildare, Ireland that specializes in treating sexual dysfunction. Dr. Andrew Rynne states in his report that he has seen patients who, after taking Propecia for even a short period of time, have experienced many types of sexual dysfunction, including sexual anhedonia. This condition is characterized by the inability to experience physical pleasure from orgasm.

In April, 2012, the FDA issued changes to the Propecia label that included additional sexual side effects, including ejaculation disorders, libido disorders and orgasm disorders. The label also noted that some men experienced those side effects long after stopping the drug, which could indicate the problems may be permanent in some cases. That notice was followed up by news reports at the American Academy of Family Physicians and news outlets alerting men to the potential risks associated with Propecia.

Unfortunately, the Propecia FDA warning and other alerts came too late for men like this plaintiff, who was already suffering the devastating effects of sexual dysfunction. The plaintiff is now seeking compensatory, punitive and exemplary damages from Merck. He has included multiple counts in his Propecia sexual side effects lawsuit, including breach of warranty, product liability, negligence, and fraud.