Lawsuit Alleges Over-the-Counter Minoxidil Caused Severe Disability
A $2.5 million lawsuit claims over-the-counter minoxidil caused severe physical and psychological damage, including permanent disability, to a young athlete. The legal action targets manufacturers Therima and Perrigo, and the Ministry of Health.
A $2.5 million lawsuit has been filed against pharmaceutical companies Therima and Perrigo (Paddock), alongside the Ministry of Health, alleging that the over-the-counter hair loss treatment minoxidil caused severe systemic and dermatological damage to a young athlete.
The plaintiff, identified as S., a former martial arts instructor and active athlete, began using 5% minoxidil after consulting his family doctor and dermatologist for hair thinning. Initially, the treatment yielded positive results, but he soon developed severe skin irritation, hair loss spreading to his eyebrows, eyelashes, and body, as well as edema and skin lesions.
Systemic Complications and Medical Opinions
Medical examinations revealed a 75% reduction in epidermal thickness, alongside systemic symptoms including weakness, muscle and joint pain, chest tightness, tachycardia, blood pressure fluctuations, and metabolic disorders. According to an expert opinion by Prof. Moti Ravid, the minoxidil absorbed through the scalp migrated across the body, leading to physical dependence and severe withdrawal reactions upon reduced exposure.
"The patient faces an absurd situation where exposure to the product worsens the damage, yet reducing exposure causes an even sharper deterioration," noted Prof. Ravid, who assessed S.'s permanent physical disability at approximately 60%.
Regulatory Failures and Legal Arguments
The lawsuit, filed by attorney Ran Shapira, claims that manufacturers removed critical warning labels from product inserts over the years. While older leaflets warned of systemic absorption and depressive moods, newer versions lack these warnings, despite minoxidil being sold without a prescription and without mandatory medical supervision.
The Ministry of Health is also targeted for allegedly approving deficient leaflets, failing to enforce uniformity across competing products, and neglecting proper safety oversight. Therima stated that minoxidil is a safe, long-standing product complying with all regulations, while the Ministry of Health indicated it will respond through legal channels. Perrigo has not yet issued a response.
