By paNOW

Lawsuit over sexual dysfunction linked to hair drug Propecia

Aug 8, 2013 | 12:46 AM

He simply wanted more hair, but now his sexual life is suffering.

With the help of Tony Merchant, a 34-year-old Regina man is launching a class action lawsuit against Merck & Co., including Merck Canada Inc. which markets and distributes Propecia and a similar drug called Proscar. Those drugs are used for hair restoration.

The statement of claim outlines how in 2007 the man had a lump on his head removed. His doctor had given him a free sample of Propecia to regrow the hair where his lump was removed as well as a prescription for more.

After taking the drug for about six weeks he noticed hair wasn’t growing on his head, but instead on his neck and back. Along with that, the claim outlines how his sex drive has also been significantly hurt. Merchant claims his client can’t maintain sexual function and is now suffering from a general loss of sexual interest. And that may never come back.

“It’s both physical and mental and very impactful for people,” Merchant said.

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Merchant also explained how his client and others involved in the suit had no idea what the potential consequences of taking the drug were beforehand.

“People with whom we’ve spoken had no idea that there would be a loss of sexual function,” he claimed. “With every single one of them when they lost sexual function they didn’t even make the connection.”

“It wasn’t one of the things that they were warned about.”

However, Propecia does warn about the potential for certain sexual side effects such as less desire for sex, difficulty achieving an erection, and a decrease in the amount of semen. They say each of these happen in less than two per cent of men and went away after usage stopped.

Merchant said on top of seeking compensation for his client, it’s also important for a court to rule in their favour to aid in the mental recovery process, adding his clients feel as if they have been “taken of advantage of.”

News Talk Radio has put in a call with Merck for its response. A statement of claim contains allegations that have not been proven in court.

news@panow.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow