Reviews and Comments on Propecia Side Effects and Usage, page 62

Propecia Reviews

If you’ve used Propecia, please help others by adding your feedback. What would you tell your best friend about this product? Please remember that we do not give medical advice. That is for your local health care provider, who is familiar with your medical history.

Subj: Subtle changes
Date: 3/25/2009
I started using Propecia 4 weeks ago and noticed subtle changes in mood, libido and more recently getting and maintaining an erection. after a month I am surprised to notice that I have a complete lack of libido and now impotence as a result of my treatment. I am now stopping the treatment and am going to deal with hair loss and hopefully not impotence. The London Clinic (who shall remain nameless) are very sales orientated and the trichologist I spoke with indicated that these side effects are normal and completely disappear after cessation of treatment as too does the current approved UK PIL, whilst it would seem that this is not the case. I personally work in clinical trials and I’m disappointed that the post marketing surveillance of this drug does not seem to be taken seriously. I would urge anyone in the UK who has experienced the same side effects as me to report the effects through the MHRAs Yellow Card Scheme, as I will be doing!

UK user

Subj: Does Propecia work?
Date: 3/29/2009
I am 18 years old and have been taken propeica for 2 months. I want to know if I am going to expect results becasue I have become so depressed and so worried about my hair its unbelieveable. Is propeica going to work?

Ben

AskDocWeb: According to Merck Pharmaceuticals, Propecia stops the progression of hair loss in 83% of patients and results in hair regrowth in more than 65% of men who use it.

Subj: Permanently problems
Date: 4/2/2009
Propecia caused me to permanently have problems with my testosterone levels. I was warned by a client because it happened to him but I did not listen. It is a very dangerous and depressing drug. I have that “Maniquinne” feeling below my waist. NOT GOOD!

Barry

Subj: New growth along hairline
Date: 4/5/2009
I’ve been on propecia for about 9 months and I’ve noticed new growth along my hairline on my temple. Here in the last couple of months I’ve been thinning on the top of my head where I had hair but I can still see new hair growing along my hairline. It actually seems to be thickening. Does propecia have a tendency to cause thin hairs to be released early and could this be the reason why I’m thinning out on top?

Kelly

AskDocWeb: Remember that part of the patient information where it says results vary, and that it doesn’t work for everyone? It is possible that it is working along your hairline but not working on the top of your head. There is nothing you can do about that except be thankful that it is at least working for your hairline.

Subj: Difficulty obtaining an erection
Date: 4/7/2009
I have taken propecia for about 10 months now and I have great difficulty in obtaining an erection and this troubles me because I’m 23! I am stopping taking it, I’d rather be able to get an erection and be bald as Billy Corgan!

Alex

Subj: Depressed, anxious and moody
Date: 4/10/2009
I normally feel great and have a positive attitude and generally feel happy. But, after only 7-10 days on propecia I was feeling very depressed, anxious and moody. It was pretty drastic how quickly my mood changed and I woke up and felt depressed all day. I have never had any real issue with depression before. I stopped taking propecia and within a few days started feeling normal and myself again…not depressed. Is there any medical reason for my reaction to this drug? Also, is there a risk of damage to the kidneys by taking propecia for a long time (i.e. 10 years or more)? I always hear that the kidney pays the price for taking medications for long periods of time.

Bob

AskDocWeb: Mood changes are not listed among the officially recognized side effects of Propecia but there are several posts about mood swings, irritability, aggression, and loss of anger control. Propecia is metabolized in the liver, not the kidneys. Increased serum levels have been noted in those with renal insufficiency or decreased kidney function but not in those who have healthy kidneys.

Update December 2010: Merck has officially added depression to the list of possible side effects of Propecia.

Subj: Getting a sore head and feeling dizzy
Date: 4/11/2009
I started taking it about two months ago and started gettin a sore head and feeling a little dizzy about a week ago, but no other problems, think I will stop, too worried to continue.

Cav

Subj: Men in their 60s?
Date: 4/12/2009
I have been taking Propecia since it first came out, when I was in my late 40s. I think it’s been quite effective in slowing — although not stopping — my hair loss until just this past year, after I turned 61, when my rate of hair loss increased dramatically, so much so that I wonder if the Propecia is now doing any good at all. Is there any data on how effective Propecia is for men in their 60s? And would there be any point in increasing the dosage?

Peter

AskDocWeb: We haven’t seen any data for men in their 60s but various dosages have been tried. An increase in dosage has not been shown to increase effectiveness. It only increases the side effects.

Subj: Suffered ALL sexual problems
Date: 4/17/2009
Hello, I have taken finpecia for more than four years, however I have not taken the desirable result. Then I stopped out of the fear of the side effects but as soon as I did my hair loss relapsed, so I restarted. I already suffered ALL sexual problems especially with ERECTION and of course they go on. You can’t imagine what happens when you lose your erection when making love with your partner. PLEASE help me, what should I do? Continue or stop?

Andy

AskDocWeb: Unfortunately it sounds like you may have to decide what is more important to you, your hair or your sex life. If readers have any alternatives, please share, there are others are in the same situation as Andy.

Subj: Trial stats
Date: 4/17/2009
Like many I have just noticed an increase over the last few months in hair falling out when I wash or comb, on my pillow, etc. I’m 34. I’ve got an appointment on Tuesday to see my GP regarding Propecia. My view is unless they give me a strong reason to not go for it I will give it a try. Here’s to being one of the lucky people who get good results without any major side effects. I would like to ask tho, a higher % of people seem to have side effects compared to the 1% in trial tests. Is this due to more people being likely to report actual issues then success or are the trial stats too conservative?

Mike

AskDocWeb: There is some controversy about that. In a study conducted in Turkey, patients received 5 mg a day of Propecia. At month 3, the testosterone level had increased by 15%. In that study, Propecia caused erectile dysfunction in 22% of patients by month 3 and 33% of patients by month 6. (Reported by Science Direct, April 1998)

Subj: Secondary affect?
Date: 4/18/2009
I am female and my Partner uses propecia / provillus and I was wondering if it could some how effect me as my hair and body hair seems to be noticeably thicker and grows back faster?

Libbie

AskDocWeb: We have seen nothing to indicate that Propecia might affect the hair growth of anyone other than the person using it.

Subj: Any side effects in future?
Date: 4/21/2009
Hi, I am 20 years of age, taking on propecia for about 3 weeks, is it safe for me to continue this drug as I am just 20? Will it cause any side effects in future?

Ram

AskDocWeb: Sorry Ram, there is no way to know that ahead of time. Medical science is just not that advanced, yet.

Subj: Propecia drained my mental capacity
Date: 4/24/2009
I was on Propecia for 11 months. It worked very well. The only problem I encountered was a pretty severe mental block. I am in college and 25 years old. I noticed that my retention of material greatly decreased about two or two and a half months into treatment with Propecia. I didn’t realize that this drug could have this side effect. It’s been about 20 days since I last took Propecia and I can definitely see a huge improvement in my memory and overall mood. Looks like I’ll have to stick with the Rogaine Foam and Laser Comb combination for now. It’s scary to think how much that drug drained my mental capacity. Good luck to you all.

Brain Fog

Subj: It never occurred to me
Date: 4/27/2009
I’ve been on Propecia for 10 years with great results. I recently inadvertently went off the drug for about 6 weeks. Prior to that it never occurred to me that I was experiencing side effects. During the hiatus off the drug, I noticed an increase in sexual desire, less difficulty achieving erections, a tremendous increase in volume and distance during ejaculation and, orgasm was much much more intense. My wife and I have been trying to conceive without a lot of luck. FYI, a sperm count check 6 months ago showed low volume, low motility but the count check was ok so we are prime candidates for artificial insemination. So, a week ago, I went back on Propecia. My wife and I have been on vacation the last 5 days. Not once did we have sex because of my lack of desire. Not once have I experienced morning erections or found myself thinking about sex (and we were on a crowded beach with lots to look at the would spurn desires). Finally, today I masturbated and sure enough, the distance was minimal, volume seemed less, and the orgasm was much less pleasurable. I don’t know what to do. I’ve read that some recommend not taking the drug the week my wife is fertile. If not taking the drug for a week is ok and wouldn’t affect the hair I’ve grown back, then why wouldn’t I just take the drug 3 week out of the month to keep my hair?

A Different Billy

AskDocWeb: Of course this varies from one man to the next but it usually takes a month for it to leave your system. A quick review of the feedback showed that 6 men were still waiting for their desire and performance to return to normal after 3 months, 10 months, 2 months, 18 months, 3 months, and 13 months respectively. We would be surprised if your sex life returned to normal in just one week.

Subj: Erection problem
Date: 4/29/2009
I used Propecia for 4 days. I see the erection problem, could not hold hard as I was earlier. I stopped it 1 month ago, it not recovered completely.

Bobby

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