Proscar Has Erectile Dysfunction (ED) Side Effects Along with Other Sexual Dysfunctions

Proscar is a brand name for the drug Finasteride. Although Proscar is only approved for treating enlarged prostate, it also is prescribed for treating male pattern baldness like its counterpart, Propecia. Both Proscar and Propecia are manufactured by Merck.  Recent research and studies show that Proscar can have severe side effects, including erectile dysfunction (ED), loss of libido, problems with orgasm, and depression. The side effect of Proscar can be permanent.

Although Approved Only for Enlarged Prostate, Proscar Also is Prescribed for Male Pattern Baldness

Finasteride, under the brand name Proscar, was first approved by the FDA in 1992 to treat benign prostaic hyperplasia (BHP), or enlarged prostate. However, after Finasteride was approved in 1997 under the brand name Propecia to treat male pattern baldness, physicians also began prescribing Proscar for hair loss so the treatment could be covered by insurance. Since the approved dosage of Proscar for prostate treatment is larger than the approved dose for hair loss treatment, men were instructed to break the tablets in smaller pieces.
Proscar/Finasteride is a synthetic antiandrogen. It prevents a man's body from converting testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It does this by inhibiting type II 5-alpha reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT. By blocking this enzyme, Proscar blocks the conversion of testosterone into the more powerful androgen DHT. In the prostate, inhibition of 5-alpha reductase leads to a reduction of prostate volume, which improves the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Proscar Can Cause Long-Term, Even Permanent, Sexual Dysfunction

Two medical journal articles in the March 2011 issue of the Journal of Sexual Medicine report that Proscar can cause long-term sexual dysfunction. This comes after warnings in other countries about these side effects.

One study was based on interviews with 71 otherwise healthy men between the ages of 21 and 46 who reported the new onset of sexual side effects associated with the temporal use of Finasteride. Of this group of men, 94% developed low libido, 92% developed erectile dysfunction, 92% developed decreased arousal, and 69% developed problems with orgasm. These side effects lasted for a mean of 40 months after they stopped taking Finasteride.

The other article was a case study of a 24-year-old man who began taking Finasteride in 1999. Within 2-5 days after he began taking Finasteride, he experienced soreness of the testicles, total lack of sex drive, and complete inability to achieve an erection. He also had difficulty concentrating and felt depressed. When he stopped taking Finasteride, the side effects diminished to some degree, but his sexual function never returned to normal. Five years later, he was still experiencing loss of libido, erectile dysfunction (ED), and depression.

Although the FDA has not taken action to require warnings about these side effects, other countries have done do. The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency and the Swedish Medical Products Agency have both updated their patient information leaflets to include a statement that “persistence of erectile dysfunction after discontinuation of treatment with Propecia has been reported in post‐marketing use.”

Proscar Sexual Dysfunction Side Effect Lawsuits

American men injured by Proscar side effects should stop taking the drug immediately, and consider taking legal action. Their injuries may be permanent. A Proscar lawsuit will not bring back their sexual health, but it is the only way for them to receive compensation for their injuries. The attorneys at DeCarli Law offer free, no-obligation telephone consultations. Please contact us to learn more about your legal rights and options.