Have you had any bad side effects from Propecia?

[dtrock78]

These anti propecia posts discounting the positive experiences of people using it are so tired already.

So tired how, exactly? Good for you if you haven't noticed any side effects. That doesnt mean they don't exist, and that there's emerging evidence that's compelling enough to the European health agencies to issue new, additional warnings related to this drug.

@ Skip,

I think some of these people react so defensively like this because the idea that they could possibly be doing damage to themselves for the sake of their hair disturbs them.

But it's worth discussing. After all, what's the point of taking the drug and looking good if ole' one-eyed Willy isn't up to the task?
It's like putting a 4 cylinder engine in a Ferrari! A big bark with no bite!

[ThatGuy]

I took propecia for a year and half. The good news is, the drug does exactly what it is suppose to do. That badnews is just that! Blocking the production of Dht is interfering with your body to carry out a natural process. Above this it interferes with androgen receptors, and the testosterone levels which is basically the makeup of a male being. The fact is, it lowers your testosterone levels, which in turn is a threat to your quality of life! You probaly didnt even know you had side effects, untill you woke up one day and realized it is not the same you of pre-propecia. Propecia was the first drug I have ever taken and it is certainly the last. I'm not one to vilify the big drug companies or corporations, but I definitely have a different view of any or all drugs that are FDA APPROVED! I will never trust what someone tells me, EVEN A DOCTOR! I don't blame Merck , it was my own decision to take this drug. But I hope someone on the inside will eventually come forth and tell the harmful destruction this has on the male body. I have since quiting that drug, devoted my time to finding ways to reverse it's longterm effects. And I can say that I HAVE. PLEASE UNDERSTAND THE SEVERITY of what I'm saying, there have been people who have comitted suicide over it's in- explainable side effects. I have done extensive reasearch over the last few years. FOR ANYBODY THAT"S HAD TERRIBLE SIDE EFFECTS,IS LOOKING FOR SOLUTIONS, ANYBODY THAT IS THINKING ABOUT TAKING IT, ORTHINKING ABOUT QUITING! please feel free to contact me . I want to help! dont be afraid to speak because you feel like your problem is different. DONT BE STUPID USE COMMON SENSE!

[blakes33]

I took it for 12 years without any side effects. The stories about "permanent side effects" are bogus. And if you'll notice, all the guys who drop in on this thread and tell you how horrible the drug is thought the side effects were so unbearable that they took it for years themselves. They probably ended up on one of the anti-propecia hysteria websites one day and freaked themselves out so now they spend their time scaring guys out of taking the med. Just try the drug and assume you won't have any side effects. If you do, then stop the medication and you'll go back to normal within a few days.

Ryan - I would be very interested to know how you faired after quitting propecia?

I am very similar (I have been on it now for 13 years). With all the new studies (men's health magazine, post finasteride syndrome, etc) I am worried about shocking my endocrine system by stopping. I actually did stop 7 weeks ago. Since then I have had a few changes - morning erections are back. But I have pain in testicles (especially after sex). Also, seems more difficult now to get an erection. But, this could be mental considering the amount of reading I have done.

Did your body return to normal after that long of use? If so, how long did it take and did you have some "adjustment" period? And of course finally, did you start to lose your hair and how quickly?

[blakes33]

You really should know better than to make bullshit statements like this. People who have come forward with permanent side effects regarding Propecia have a right to make their claims, and I don't believe they are bogus as more than a few who are making claims are backed up by legit physicians. Time will tell. You speak with the authority of a doctor, but I'm pretty sure you ain't.

I'll qualify myself as one of the people who "drop in" and tell other guys how shit this drug made my life, and I took it for about about the same length as you (12 years). The reason I continued to take it, and endure the common ED side effects, was because while I knew it was causing grief in my sex life.. I knew it was working well for my hairline.. and I didn't want to lose that. It is a standard catch 22, but the hard choice has to be made at some point:

A. take the drug.. keep hair/ slow hairloss.. suffer from ED side effects.

B. quit the drug.. let MPB progress.. have full use of my dick.

There are only two options as far as I can see, and Viagra is no long term solution to option A. For me B was the only option. I'm glad more people seem to be coming forward and stating their honest experience with this drug.. there seem to be a lot more guys saying that they have issues with Prop. Still, I think the majority who try and experience probs with it will still just quit taking the drug and think screw this option all together, rather than come here and say anything.

skip - very similar situation for me. on drug for almost 14 years. i recently quit and have been off for 3 months. did you make a full recovery? if so, how has the hairloss been?

[Jimmyjames1980]

Just to give you another opinion,

I'm 19, took it for 5 months on and off in doses often no bigger than 0.2 mg and almost a year after quitting thew drug I am dealing with severe libido and erection issues.

I am 32 and took fin a year ago for 8 days,on the 8th day I could get hard,not for anything,my body hair started to die and fall out,my body shape changed over night,less definition.since then I have lost 4 stone,not had an erection at all,morning night or spontaneous,lost my girlfriend and an in and out of care homes due to what it's done to me.my strong advise,love yourself,walk tall and stick your fingers up to anyone who mocks you for the way you look,it's your life,dont play the guinea pig for the med companies that don't give a shit if you live or die,i trusted a doc and now look at me.neva have the family I wanted and Neva be happy again.its a huge gamble,1 you should Neva take,if a doc told you to jump off the top of a building to cure a head ache what would you say to him?they don't have the true information on this poison and yet it may work for some people it's only time before it has it's effects on them to.a life time drug????get a cap or a hat and be happy.trust me.

[Assemblage23]

Guys who stopped: when did you recover your libido? I am on day 9 since my last fin pill I have always been VERY sexually active but I am not looking forward to it like I used to just a lot more experienced and skilled with dating.

I would really love to feel the crazy raging hornyness again, if nothing special happens to my libido levels in the next couple weeks I'll get back on fin.

[Jimmyjames1980]

I have no libido,no erections,nothing,a year on and believe me I was a horny guy.docs just say its depression.im hating everyday I live now and not sure I want to live.when you take your sexual drive and manhood away from you,how and why carry on?i loved my life and made a mistake.neva Neva take drugs for anything.

[BigThinker]

its a huge gamble,1 you should Neva take,if a doc told you to jump off the top of a building to cure a head ache what would you say to him?

I would tell him that that's the dumbest thing I've ever heard: there's no theoretical physiological reasoning to believe jumping off a bridge would cure my head ache, let alone objective studies conducted by the unbiased scientific research community to support the claim. And then I would wake up from my dream, because that would never happen.

Whether or not you believe it, a lot of dudes have had great experiences with fin - more dudes than have had your unfortunate experience. You're certainly entitled to your opinion and you have the freedom to share your story, of course. But, frankly, all the literature supports that fin is more likely to give positive benefits than extreme side effects. This isn't some random chemical a mad scientist drew up and started pumping into "guinea pigs", as you are insinuating.

[Jimmyjames1980]

It was designed 4 prostate enlargement and cancer prevention,that alone should say that's what it's 4,it's like saying chemo is good to take cause it reduces weight in all patients.i fell to the shitty system due to bad information,I was told it was a hair loss drug and safe.its not,simple as.so that poor 19 year old kid that killed himself due to it makin him impotent is acceptable from your point of view?what a waste of a life,and mine.its sick.yeah people are happy at the min,are they really happy to take it the rest of there lives risking the outcome?it is my opinion of someone that's suffering.sick.