Propecia May Be Linked To Depression Parker Waichman LLP, a national law firm dedicated to protecting the rights of victims injured by defective drugs, is informing the public about a new study that links Propecia to depression. In recent years, the male hair loss drug has become increasingly associated with sexual dysfunction that continues even […]
Propecia May Be Linked To Depression Parker Waichman LLP, a national law firm dedicated to protecting the rights of victims injured by defective drugs, is informing the public about a new study that links Propecia to depression.
In recent years, the male hair loss drug has become increasingly associated with sexual dysfunction that continues even after stopping treatment. The study, which was published online this week, showed that a majority of the men who experienced sexual side effects also exhibited symptoms of depression.
The study compared 61 men who experienced persistent sexual side effects for at least three months after taking ‘Propecia’ for male pattern baldness versus a control group comprised of 29 men who had male pattern hair loss but had never taken the drug. None of the men had a prior history of psychiatric conditions or sexual dysfunction.
Overall, 75 percent of the men who had taken Propecia (46 out of 61) reported symptoms of depression and 64 percent (39 out of 61) classified their symptoms as moderate or severe.
Among the control group, 10 percent said they had signs depression (3 out of 29) but none said that the symptoms were moderate or severe. Suicidal thoughts were also more prevalent amongst the former ‘Propecia’ users; 44 percent said they had thoughts of suicide compared 3 percent of non-users.
Overall, author Michael Irwig, MD said that men who experienced persistent sexual dysfunction after taking ‘Propecia’ should consider being screened for depression and concluded that “Clinicians and potential users of finasteride should be aware of the potential risk of depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts.” The Propecia label was changed in 2010 to include depression as a possible side effect.
Propecia and Proscar (finasteride 5 mg), which is used to treat an enlarged prostate, have been associated with sexual side effects such as:
In April the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated the label on Propecia and Proscar to include libido disorders, ejaculation disorders and orgasm disorders that may continue even after stopping treatment.
Parker Waichman LLP is currently offering free legal consultations to victims of Proscar or ‘Propecia’ sexual side effects. Please contact their office by visiting the Proscar and Propecia side effect pages at www.yourlawyer.com. Free case evaluations are also available by calling 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529).
Contact:
Parker Waichman LLP
Gary Falkowitz, Managing Attorney
(800) YOURLAWYER
(800) 968-7529