Around the country, more and more men have reported suffering from prolonged bouts of erectile dysfunction (ED) and other serious sexual side effects after taking Merck’s best-selling hair loss treatment Propecia (generic: finasteride). The vast majority of these men were totally unaware of Propecia’s ability to cause these complications until after they started using the drug and began experiencing side effects. Many others are suffering in silence, and have no idea that Propecia is to blame.
Michael E. Schmidt, Managing Partner of Schmidt & Clark, LLP, has noticed an alarming number of inquiries to the firm from former Propecia users who are now suffering from persistent erectile dysfunction. Mr. Schmidt stated, "Our firm has substantial expertise in the area of product liability litigation. As a result, we have recently received a number of inquiries from patients who were treated with Propecia and subsequently developed erectile dysfunction and other serious sexual side effects of Propecia."
Manufactured and marketed by pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co., Propecia is an FDA-approved prescription drug used for the treatment of male pattern baldness (MPB). Also known as ‘The Hair Loss Pill for Men,’ Propecia is a once-a-day pill that has demonstrated considerable effectiveness in slowing or stopping MPB. The drug is designed to work by blocking dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a male hormone thought to be responsible for hair loss. In clinical trials conducted by Merck, nearly 90% of Propecia users were able to grow more hair or continued to stop hair loss.
Unfortunately, despite the drug’s considerable effectiveness as a hair loss treatment, Propecia has recently been linked to erectile dysfunction and a host of other serious, potentially irreversible sexual complications. ED occurs when a man is unable to achieve or maintain an erection during sexual intercourse. The condition is different from other male sexual issues such as lack of sexual desire (decreased libido), or problems with orgasm and ejaculation. Signs and symptoms of Propecia-induced erectile dysfunction may include:
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trouble getting an erection
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trouble keeping an erection
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reduced sexual desire
The severity of erectile dysfunction varies greatly from case to case, with some men being totally unable to achieve an erection, while others may be only able to maintain one for brief periods. The wide range of issues relating to ED makes estimating its prevalence difficult. Additionally, many men suffering from the condition are reluctant to speak with their doctors out of embarrassment, thus it must be assumed that ED goes widely undiagnosed. Nevertheless, experts have estimated that erectile dysfunction affects some 30 million men in the United States alone.
Consult your physician immediately if:
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ED or other sexual side effects are an issue for you or your partner;
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you have diabetes, heart disease or other health problems that may be linked to erectile dysfunction;
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you have other symptoms that may not seem related.
Michael E. Schmidt is recognized as one of Americaʼs most passionate, accomplished and skilled trial lawyers. His law firm, Schmidt & Clark, LLP, is currently accepting Propecia Erectile Dysfunction Lawsuits in all 50 states and offers a free confidential case evaluation. To learn more about this topic and to see if you qualify to participate in a Propecia Lawsuit, please visit his website: http://www.propecia-lawsuit.org
