Have you taken Elmiron? Are you experiencing difficulties with vision?
The prescription drug Elmiron has been linked with numerous vision problems, including blindness and permanent loss of vision. Lawsuits claim that long-term exposure to Elmiron leads to maculopathy, an eye disorder affecting the retina. People who have taken Elmiron may be eligible to file a lawsuit and to receive significant compensation.
What is Elmiron? What is Elmiron used for?
Elmiron is a prescription drug used to treat pain and discomfort associated with interstitial cystitis, otherwise known as IC or “painful bladder syndrome.” Interstitial cystitis affects millions of Americans, and Elmiron is currently the only FDA-approved oral drug to treat pain associated with IC.
Elmiron, pentosane polysulfate sodium (PPS), was approved by the FDA in 1996.
Does Elmiron cause blindness?
Studies indicate a clear link between the drug, Elmiron, and vision issues, including blindness.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, studies show “about a quarter of patients with significant exposure to the drug show signs of retinal damage.”
In 2019, Dr. Nieraj Jain, M.D. (Emory Eye Center) reported six patients who had developed “changes” or abnormalities in their macula (central part of the retina), each patient having taken Elmiron for at least 15 years.
Additional studies by doctors Robin A. Vora, M.D., Amar P. Patel, M.D., and Ronald Melles, M.D., revealed toxic effects to the macula, including a rise in toxicity correlating to the amount of Elmiron taken by patients. “It’s unfortunate,” says Dr. Vora. “You have a patient with a chronic condition like interstitial cystitis, for which there is no cure and no effective treatment. They get put on these medications because it’s thought to have few side effects and few risks, and no one thinks about it again. And year after year, the number of pills they’re taking goes up and up.”
Studies, according to the Review of Ophthalmology, indicate a specific link between maculopathy and PPS (the drug, Elmiron). “This characteristic maculopathy has, to date, been exclusively diagnosed in patients reporting prior PPS exposure…no patients [during our studies] exhibited this maculopathy in the absence of PPS exposure.”
Elmiron Lawsuits
Sales of Elmiron amount to more than $150 million dollars each year. Lawsuits against Elmiron’s drug makers are being actively filed. Claims allege that drug manufacturers not only failed to disclose the dangerous links between Elmiron and vision damage but also actively hid warnings from patients.
Our attorneys at Taylor King Law are accepting cases today.
Who can file an Elmiron lawsuit?
Hire an Elmiron lawyer today.
If you’ve taken Elmiron and have experienced difficulties with vision, you may be eligible for compensation. Lawsuits allege drug makers failed to disclose the link between Elmiron and serious vision damage.
According to doctors, Adam M. Hanif, M.D., and Nieraj Jain, M.D., data suggests “hundreds of thousands of individuals have likely been exposed to the drug within the United States.”
Lawsuits being filed against drug manufacturers have included the following injuries:
- Blurred vision
- Loss of vision
- Vision impairment
- Degenerative maculopathy
- Metamorphopsia
- Reduced night vision
- Maculopathy
- Macular/pattern dystrophy
- Pigmentary maculopathy
- Retinal pigment epithelium atrophy
- Scotoma
- Retinopathy
- Unilateral or bilateral blindness
What are the side effects of Elmiron?
Patients taking Elmiron have reported side effects including, but not limited to, hair loss, bruising, diarrhea, reflux, headaches, skin rash, and difficulty sleeping.
Side effects to vision include, but are not limited to:
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty reading
- Distorted vision
- Eye pain
- Difficult adjusting to changes in light
- Disturbances to vision
- Loss of vision
- Difficulty seeing close objects
- Dimming of vision
What is maculopathy?
Maculopathy is a general term that refers to any pathological condition affecting the macula (the central portion of the retina). The macula is responsible for visual acuity and sensitivity. The type of maculopathy associated with Elmiron is referred to as “pigmentary maculopathy of unknown etiology.”
Symptoms of pigmentary maculopathy may include any of the following:
- Abnormalities to the capillaries and blood vessels surrounding the macula, resulting in loss of vision.
- Lesions underneath the macula.
- Degeneration referred to as retinal pigment epithelium atrophy.
- Darkened spots on the retina.
What should I do if I’ve been taking Elmiron?
Studies indicate frequency and length of exposure to the drug Elmiron play a large role in risks associated with vision loss.
If you’re taking Elmiron and show no signs of toxicity of vision, consult a doctor about scheduling a retina screening. Screenings should be performed at least once a year while taking Elmiron.
If you’re taking Elmiron and are experiencing signs of vision damage, you should consult your urologist or OB/GYN about discontinuing the use of Elmiron immediately.
No one should be subjected to catastrophic side effects, especially when those side effects are hidden by drug manufacturers. If you’ve taken Elmiron, contact a personal injury attorney. Their experience in handling dangerous drug lawsuits will ensure you’re compensated to the fullest extent of your damages.
Additional Questions?
If you have more questions, call us at 1(800) 305-0529 or fill out a free case evaluation form below. We’ll gladly answer your questions whether or not you choose to hire an attorney.
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