Here are a few statistics from a Q&A released by the FDA regarding the persistent sexual side effects of Finasteride. The entire release can be viewed at:
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/.../ucm299754.htm
Propecia: In the span of 13 years (1998-2011), 59 cases of
persistent sexual dysfunction
lasting longer than three months after drug discontinuation were reported to the FDA's Adverse Events Reporting System (AERS).
Proscar: In the span of 18 years (1992-2010), 131 cases of erectile dysfunction and 68 cases of decreased libido lasting
longer than several weeks after drug discontinuation were reported to the FDA's worldwide safety database.
I personally thought the number of adverse effect reports would have been higher given that:
1) Lawyers attempting to sue Merck encouraged potential clients to report their adverse effects to the FDA in order to strengthen their case. (Lawyers were hoping for enough reports to warrant a black box warning label for Propecia.)
2) In 2011, Merck took down the Propecia website and displayed a message encouraging anyone with adverse effects to submit a report to the FDA.
3) Propeciahelp.com has over 2000 members.
4) You can submit an adverse effect report to the FDA online.
Bottom Line: After approximately 20 years of reviewing adverse effect reports submitted to their database, as of April 2012, the FDA is confident that Finasteride is both
safe and effective for treating male pattern baldness and an enlarged prostate.
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