Long-term use of Elmiron, primarily prescribed to treat interstitial cystitis, is alleged to cause maculopathy.
Maculopathy can lead to dimmed or diminished vision and even to blindness.
If you or a loved one have taken Elmiron, find out more about what it does and the possible side effects to see if you qualify for compensation.
What is Elmiron?
Elmiron, or pentosan polysulfate sodium, is a medication normally prescribed to treat interstitial cystitis.
Interstitial cystitis causes constant symptoms similar to a urinary tract infection (UTI) like pelvic pain, bladder pressure, and the need to go to the bathroom more often.
Elmiron attaches to the walls of the bladder mucosa to act as a buffer and protect the bladder wall from any substances in urine.
Elmiron is the only U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved medication to treat interstitial cystitis.
Many people who take this drug have no other choice and pay thousands of dollars out of pocket to do so.
Maculopathy Symptoms
Maculopathy is a generalized term for eye disorders which affect the macula of the eye.
Any type of maculopathy can eventually lead to blindness. In the case of Elmiron, the type of maculopathy that patients allege experiencing is identified as pigmentary maculopathy.
Patients with maculopathy may first have a decrease in vision.
Other possible symptoms of maculopathy after Elmiron use include:
- Difficult to see objects up close
- Difficult to read
- Dimming of vision
- Some vision loss in one spot
- Difficult time adjusting from light to dark
Research and Reporting on Elmiron
When researchers were studying the drug Elmiron in 2015 and 2017, they found that several patients developed pigmentary maculopathy after treatment.
Additionally, in an article published in 2019 in the Journal of Urology, researchers found that chronic exposure to pentosan polysulfate sodium (Elmiron) is associated with retinal pigmentary changes and vision loss [due to maculopathy].
The FDA Adverse Event Reporting System has received reports which link eye disorders with Elmiron patients as early as 1997.
Elmiron has, as of 2019, been placed on the FDA’s so-called “Watch List” generated from the Adverse Event Reporting System data.
Elmiron Lawsuit
Patients allege that drug manufacturer Janssen Pharmaceuticals, who manufacturers Elmiron, failed to warn patients about the dangers of taking Elmiron and its potentially serious side effects.
Janssen Pharmaceuticals does warn of some side effects on their product label, but they do not include warnings about the potential for maculopathy.
The Elmiron lawsuit claims that Janssen Pharmaceuticals knew or should have know that this could be a side effect of the drug.
Have You Taken Elmiron? You May Be Entitled to Compensation
If you or a loved one are experiencing any of these side effects after taking the drug Elmiron, consult your doctor immediately.
Do not cease any medication without doctor approval. Your doctor will help you find another medication or course of treatment.
Next, contact a personal injury attorney to discuss your possible case. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries from the drug Elmiron.
VanDerGinst Law has over 30 years of experience helping personal injury clients.
We have knowledgeable and experienced attorneys who can help guide you through the complexities of your case and help you obtain the financial compensation you deserve.
The consultation for personal injury cases is free and there’s never a fee unless we win.
Contact us for more information on how to get started.
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