Finasteride
Finasteride Lawsuit Propecia, Proscar, Side Effects: Male Breast Cancer, High-Grade Prostate Cancer, Erectile Dysfunction
Finasteride Side Effects: Prostate Cancer, Male Breast Cancer, Erectile Dysfunction | Lawsuits, Lawyer | Proscar, Propecia 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors, 5-ARIs
Finasteride Male Breast Cancer Risk
Finasteride (Propecia, Proscar) Use increases risk of High-Grade Prostate Cancer and Male Breast Cancer Risk
Finasteride users, sold under the brand names (Propecia and Proscar) that have been diagnosed with high-grade prostate cancer or male breast cancer, this drug may be to blame.
In June 2011, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Drug Safety Communication warning that men taking Finasteride may face a higher risk of developing high-grade prostate cancer. At the time, the FDA mandated that the labels for Finasteride medications be updated to warn of this risk. Additionally, in August 2011, the Canadian Health Agency, Health Canada, stated that male breast cancer has been reported in a small number of patients worldwide with both the 1 mg and 5 mg formulations of finasteride, though most have been associated with the 5mg formulation. Health Canada has advised that men taking finasteride contact their doctors should they experience breast enlargement, breast lumps, pain or tenderness, nipple discharge, or any other changes while taking the drug.
If you or a loved one were diagnosed with high-grade prostate cancer or have been recently diagnosed with male breast cancer while taking Proscar, Propecia or other 5-ARI class of drugs, you may be entitled to compensation. The defective drug lawyers at Parker Waichman LLP are experienced in defective drug litigation and are offering free lawsuit evaluations to 5-ARI victims and their families. To learn how our 5-ARI (5-alpha reductase inhibitor) lawyers can help you, we urge you to contact us today.
Finasteride and High-Grade Prostate Cancer, Male Breast Cancer Risks
Finasteride is sold under the brand names Proscar (Finasteride 5mg), Propecia (Finasteride 1mg), and as a generic medication. The 5mg version of Finasteride is used to treat enlarged prostate, while the 1mg dose treats male pattern baldness. Finasteride belongs to a class of drugs called 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors, or 5-ARIs.
Other drugs in this class include Avodart and Jalyn (both contain a 5-ARI called dustasteride).
Ironically, the association between 5-ARIs like Finasteride and high-grade prostate cancer was discovered during two clinical trials (one involving Finasteride and the other involving dustasteride) focused on determining whether the drugs could prevent prostate cancer. While a reduction in a less serious form of prostate cancer was seen in these studies, an increase in the number of high-grade tumors was also observed.
The Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial, or PCPT, involved nearly 19,000 men age 55 years or older who took either Finasteride or a placebo. The men were followed for up to seven years. Of those who took Finasteride 5mg for seven years, 1.8% were found to have high-grade prostate cancer, according to FDA. By contrast, only about 1.1% of the men who took a placebo were diagnosed with high-grade prostate cancer.
In its Drug Safety Communication, the FDA said it would modify the “Warnings and Precautions” sections of the labels of all FDA-approved 5-ARIs, including Finasteride, to include new information that they may increase the risk of high-grade prostate cancer. The new product labeling also states that Finasteride and other 5-ARIs are not approved for the prevention of prostate cancer.Finasteride Prostate Cancer, Male Breast Cancer Victims-Legal Help
If you believe you or a loved one are the victim of Finasteride prostate cancer or male breast cancer, it is important to act now to protect your legal rights. To learn how our Finasteride lawyers can help you, please fill out our online form or call 1 800 LAW INFO (1-800-529-4636) today.
