Tuesday, December 10, the ANSM warns against the side effects of finasteride or Propecia, a drug used by men to fight against hair loss. This treatment would cause mood and libido disorders.
Be careful if you use finasteride to prevent your hair from falling out. In one press release published this Tuesday, December 10, the National Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM) has announced that it wants to strengthen patient information on the side effects associated with this medicine, better known under the trade names Propecia. The latter blocks testosterone, the hormone that causes hair loss. It is closely monitored, not only in France, but also at European level.
In Februarythe ANSM already recalled the risks of anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts and sexual disorders such as erectile dysfunction, ejaculation disorders and reduced libido, associated with this drug.
Then, in October, the agency brought together patient representatives and health professionals to develop an information document in addition to the leaflet contained in the boxes of finasteride 1 mg.
Think before starting treatment
“Developed in consultation with patient associations and the health professionals concerned, this sheet aims to reinforce patient information on the risk of occurrence of certain adverse effects, such as psychiatric and/or sexual function disorders associated with the taking of finasteride”, notes the agency which ensures to continue its investigations in order to improve knowledge on the side effects of finasteride and to reinforce the safety of the consumers.
This sheet, which can be downloaded from the ANSM website, must be given by the doctor during the consultation and the pharmacist when finasteride is dispensed. It recalls “the expected benefits with regard to the risks associated with taking this drug indicated in certain less advanced forms of baldness (androgenetic alopecia) in men aged 18 to 41; the interest of allowing yourself a period of reflection before starting this long-term treatment and the action to be taken in the event of adverse effects, and in particular the cessation of treatment in the event of a change in ”, writes the agency, who started to warn about Propecia in 2012.
Justice is investigating this drug
In November, the high court of Nanterre announced the launch of an expertise on this drug after being seized by two men as well as the family of another deceased. For the mother of Romain Mathieu, who committed suicide in 2016 at the age of 25 after taking Propecia between 2010 and 2013, the drug caused problems with libido, concentration and memory, having resulted in his death. The experts will have to determine if “the damage that occurred and its consequences were probable, expected and feared” and if the drug causes “permanent damage to physical and/or psychological integrity”.
In March 2019, a dozen men also took legal action for “lack of information” about this treatment. According to the plaintiffs’ defence, many other cases should be brought before the courts in the coming months. About 30,000 men would take Propecia in France.
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