A student claims that Propecia has caused her to experience adverse side effects, and a lawsuit is being filed against Bayer. These events have led many people to ask if the drug was worth it in light of all its potential risks.
The “propecia lawsuit settlement amounts” is a legal issue that has been ongoing for a while. The amount of the settlement is unknown, but it will be revealed soon.
Merck & Co.’s Propecia (finasteride) is a drug that is used to treat male pattern baldness (MPB). (Since 1992, a new kind of finasteride called Proscar has been used to treat enlarged prostates.) Propecia was authorized by the FDA in 1997, and over one million men have been given it since then. After six months of medication, Propecia has been demonstrated to reduce hair loss in the majority of men.
Reduced libido, impotence, erectile dysfunction, and ejaculation abnormalities are among the major and long-term adverse effects of Propecia. The FDA didn’t start warning about these possible adverse effects until 2012, fifteen years after Propecia was approved.
Propecia users have filed over 1,400 lawsuits against Merck due to the company’s lack of proper warnings. As of May 2016, the majority of these lawsuits had been combined into multi-district litigations (MDLs) and were still continuing.
Propecia’s Mechanism of Action
Propecia is an androgen blocker (or antiandrogen) that reduces androgen in the scalp and prostate by inhibiting the formation of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). After six months of treatment, this reduces the size of the prostate and may reduce hair loss by up to 30%. (Propecia only works while it’s in your system.)
In males, propecia may cause impotence, erectile dysfunction, and other sexual adverse effects.
DHT stimulates the GABAA receptor, and decreased GABAA activity has been associated to sexual dysfunction (among other side effects). Propecia raises the risk of impotence, erectile dysfunction, and other sexual adverse effects in males by inhibiting DHT production. (Propecia is ineffective in women.)
The FDA finally recognized the elevated dangers in 2012, after Propecia had been on the market for 15 years. Hundreds, if not thousands, of men have been affected sexually by a medicine that was designed to make them feel more confident and virile, not less.
“Not one of the 34 published clinical trial papers included appropriate information regarding the severity, frequency, or reversibility of [Propecia’s] sexual side effects,” according to a Northwestern University research.
In terms of damaging statistics, this is merely the top of the iceberg.
Sexual Dysfunction and Propecia
Scientists have compiled a large body of evidence suggesting a substantial association between Propecia and sexual dysfunction, which is typically irreversible. The following are some of the research that support this link:
- According to a research published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine in 2008, up to 38% of men on Propecia may develop sexual adverse effects.
- A follow-up research published in 2011 in the Journal of Sexual Medicine estimated the figure at up to 23%. The research also found that these negative effects might last for years after you stop using Propecia.
- “Not one of the 34 published clinical trial papers included appropriate information regarding the severity, frequency, or reversibility of [Propecia’s] sexual side effects,” medical experts at Northwestern University determined in April 2015. (These results were published in the journal JAMA Dermatology.)
- Men’s Journal issued a warning in September 2015 about the dangers of Propecia, noting that its sexual side effects are likely underreported: “Men may have no idea that cognitive side effects would have anything to do with taking a hair-loss pill, especially if those problems persist after they stop taking the drug.” And many people, especially women, would feel ashamed to discuss sexual issues with a dermatologist or researcher.”
It’s painfully evident from the above (and other research) that Propecia increases the likelihood of sexual dysfunction in males, even months and years after they stop taking it. Hundreds of patients have filed legal action as a consequence.
Lawsuits and Settlements Concerning Propecia
Over 1,400 lawsuits have been brought against Merck over Propecia’s negative effects since 2011. Hundreds of them have been combined into multi-district litigations for practical reasons (MDLs). They were supposed to go to trial in the fall of 2016, but that was moved out to September of 2017.
Propecia has been linked to long-term sexual adverse effects since 2008, according to Merck.
Merck will almost certainly settle all of these cases before they get to trial. Cases like these virtually seldom get to trial, and these actions are all the more compelling since Merck admitted as early as 2008 (in its Swedish labelling) that Propecia might induce long-term sexual adverse effects.
Settlements of this magnitude are often in the tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. Merck has previously paid hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements related to the marketing and selling of Vioxx, an arthritis medicine linked to heart attacks and strokes. Merk paid $1.89 billion in legal settlements between 2006 and 2015, according to Public Citizen.
That sum isn’t quite as unusual as one may think. During that time, several drug firms paid billions of dollars in settlements, and some paid considerably more than Merck:
- $7.63 billion for GlaxoSmithKline
- Pfizer has a market capitalization of $3.46 billion.
- Johnson & Johnson has a market capitalization of $2.82 billion.
- Abbott’s net worth is $1.82 billion.
- Eli Lilly is worth $1.71 billion.
- Teva has a market capitalization of $1.47 billion.
- Novartis has a market capitalization of $1.23 billion.
Though it’s hard to predict how much Merck will give to resolve the 1,240 Propecia claims, history suggests it will be a substantial number.
Eligibility for a Lawsuit and Compensation
Plaintiffs in the Propecia case are seeking damages for a combination of the following:
- Suffering and pain
- Medical expenses
- Damages for retaliation
- Fees for lawyers
In the instance of Propecia, damages might include pain and suffering as well as medical expenditures. Reduced libido (together with impotence and erectile dysfunction) may put a relationship under a lot of stress and ultimately lead to its disintegration. In addition, many individuals who suffer from impotence use Viagra, necessitating recompense for medical expenses.
Have you found what you’re looking for?
YES NO
Watch This Video-
The “propecia side effects” is a lawsuit that has been filed against the drug company Merck, Inc. The lawsuit alleges that the drug company failed to warn consumers about potential side effects of the drug.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why you shouldnt take Propecia?
A: Propecia is an erectile dysfunction medication that can have some side effects. Its important to speak with your doctor before taking any medications in order to make sure it wouldnt negatively affect you.
What are the long-term side effects of Propecia?
A: As with any drug, the long term side effects of Propecia are not known. It is possible that they may include hair loss and a change in personality. Some people report feeling more irritable than usual while taking it, but this is likely due to depression or other health problems rather than the medication itself.
Is Propecia safe to take long-term?
A: Propecia is a medication that can be taken long-term, but it is not recommended. There are side effects associated with taking this drug and they vary between people depending on their body type and tolerance.
Related Tags
- propecia depression
- is propecia safe 2020
- merck lawsuit 2020
- finasteride lawsuit lawyers
- does propecia work