Propecia, an anti-baldness drug manufactured by American pharma Merck & Co; has been suspicious to cause suicidal thoughts in men, reported on Thursday.
Merck’s confidential records available to the public in late January after a federal magistrate in New York permitted Reuters to unseal 11 documents.
Most Common Side Effects of Propecia
The decrease in sex drive
Trouble getting or keeping an erection
A decrease in the amount of semen
This also indicates; it causes sexual dysfunction in Men; moreover, the US Food and Drug Administration received over 700 reports of the drug’s harmful effects, including 100 suicide; among people who were taking Propecia (finasteride) or its variants, Since 2011,
In 2020, the prescriptions of Propecia rose to over 2.4 million, according to IQVIA, a health company.
A requirement for warning of suicidal thoughts on the label of Propecia by European and Canadian regulators; which have also cited similar reports US label contains no mention of potential mental health risks.
Records show that Merck & Co. and US regulators were aware of suicidal behavior in Men taking the company’s anti-baldness Propecia, but they were not warned of it.
The FDA declined; however, to comment on its handling of Propecia and suicide reports.
The writer is Freelancer, associated with Medical Profession ,working towards PhD in Healthcare Management.