Baldness treatment drugs such as Propecia and Proscar were followed in a 10-year study performed in Canada. The study, performed in Canada, initially wasn’t looking for correlations to mental health. However, the researchers found some shocking numbers related to self-harm and depression during the use of baldness treatment drugs. Men in Canada and in the United States have filed lawsuits against Merck & Co., alleging that the baldness treatment drugs caused sexual dysfunction and mental health issues.
Baldness Treatment Drug Study Findings
The study was published in JAMA Internal Medicine in March 2017. The study ran from 2003 to 2013. Researchers followed 93,000 Canadian men taking a baldness drug and were 66 years of age or older. Many of these men were taking the drug not to treat male pattern baldness, but because the drugs are also used to treat an enlarged prostate. In fact, Propecia was approved to treat an enlarge prostate before it was approved to treat hair loss.
During the first 18 months of treatment during the study, it was found that men experienced an increased risk of self-harm. This wasn’t a small increase. It was an 88% increase. Although the risk disappeared after that time frame, their risk of developing depression remained. During the initial 18 months, men experienced a 94% increase in risk of developing depression.
Not the First Study Linking Depression to Propecia and Proscar
While this study is certainly important and brings to light the ever-present reminder that prescriptions meant to help may also harm people physically or mentally, it isn’t the first study to look at baldness treatment drugs. An earlier study was published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. The results of this study suggested an increase in sexual dysfunction, depression, and a more negative outlook on life for the men taking the drugs.
Is It Coincidental?
Although some professionals believe that the findings in the two studies are coincidental and that more studies should be performed to look at correlation, drug injuries are all too common. Drug injury lawyers continue to file lawsuits involving various prescriptions that cause self-harm, suicidal thoughts and ideations, and other mental and physical issues.
The manufacturers of Chantix, Effexor, Abilify, Paxil, and now Propecia are facing lawsuits involving dangerous side effects that developed in patients during the prescribed use of the drugs. Drug injury lawyers are a special type of lawyer who focus on helping injured patients hold drug manufacturers accountable for the harm caused by their treatments.
Regardless of whether the findings are coincidental, self-harm, suicide, depression, and other serious side effects happen. These side effects don’t just affect the patient. Self-harm, suicide, and other mental and physical illnesses can affect an entire family. Spouses may lose their companion. Families may lose their income because the main breadwinner can’t work or commits suicide.
Because the risks are so serious, it is important that if you are taking a drug like Propecia for either male pattern baldness or an enlarged prostate and you notice a change in your mood, you should contact your doctor right away.
Goldwater Law Firm – Drug Injury Lawyers Helping You Get What You Deserve
Goldwater Law Firm is a team of drug injury lawyers who work to help injured patients get what they deserve. If you were hurt by taking a medication, contact us right away. Our drug injury lawyers are compassionate and will evaluate your case for free. To schedule your free case evaluation, contact us right away.