Vision Problems from Elmiron?

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Elmiron Mass Tort Lawyers

A pile of white capsule pills, similar to Elmiron, on a blue surface.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a vision problem after using the defective prescription drug Elmiron, you could be able to receive compensation for your damages. Elmiron has been found to increase patients’ risk of maculopathy and other eyesight problems, including total blindness.

As a result, a number of lawsuits involving personal injury lawyers and mass tort attorneys have been brought against the drug’s manufacturer, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, claiming they were negligent in making and distributing the drug without a consumer warning. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to recall Elmiron, but has issued new warnings since these lawsuits have been brought, which is why you need an Elmiron lawyer on your side.

What Is Elmiron?

Elmiron, also known by its generic name, pentosan polysulfate sodium (PPS), is a drug that treats a specific and painful bladder condition. Doctors prescribe Elmiron to treat interstitial cystitis (IC), a bladder disorder that causes chronic pelvic pain, a persistent urge to urinate, and other issues. There is currently no cure for IC, but there are various treatments, including Elmiron.

A company called Teva Pharmaceuticals developed the drug in the 1980s, and licensed production rights to Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. Since Elmiron’s FDA approval in 1996, Janssen has marketed it to millions of Americans suffering from interstitial cystitis, most of whom are women. As a result, Janssen earns around $150 million in sales from Elmiron every year, even though they are selling a defective product.

How Elmiron Works

The precise way that Elmiron works is unknown, but doctors believe that it helps restore damaged parts of the bladder’s surface. Elmiron provides a synthetic replacement for the bladder’s natural layer of mucus that patients with IC lack.

Even though the way Elmiron works isn’t fully understood, doctors have been prescribing Elmiron to treat IC for decades.

The Problems with Elmiron

Studies have shown that this defective product is linked to an increased risk of various types of eye damage, in patients of all ages. The main condition that Elmiron eye damage is linked to is maculopathy, a disorder of a part of the eye called the macula that can lead to vision loss and even complete blindness.

Blurred image of a man reaching for his glasses on a table.

Besides maculopathy, consistent Elmiron use has been linked to the following vision problems:

Paracentral scotoma, or areas of vision loss
Blurred vision
Difficulty seeing in dim or no light
Difficulty seeing close objects
Difficulty reading
Macular degeneration
Scotoma
Vision dimming
Vision impairment
Vision loss

If you’ve ever used this medication, and are experiencing any of these Elmiron side effects, call an experienced Elmiron attorney as soon as possible! Elmiron-related vision loss can also be misdiagnosed as age-related macular degeneration, so see a doctor to make sure of your condition.

The eye injury lawyers at Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys have helped hundreds of dangerous drugs victims find compensation for their damages, their pain and suffering, and other costs. Call us today at for a free consultation as to your legal options.

Should I Join the Elmiron Lawsuit?

Because so many people have been affected by Elmiron’s negative side effects, many victims have banded together to share evidence and other resources in what’s known as a mass tort case. Mass torts allow victims of injuries by the same product or company to file a lawsuit together against the negligent party.

As opposed to a class action suit, which treats all claimants as one entity, mass tort cases litigate each plaintiff’s case separately, allowing for fairer compensation. No matter where you’re located, you can join a mass tort lawsuit.

How long does it take for Elmiron to cause eye damage?

Although symptoms of macular degeneration occurred in some Elmiron users as early as three years after beginning treatment, the median amount of time that patients took to experience symptoms in one study was 14.5 years. Patients’ vision was damaged from one to nine years at the time of the study, but researchers believe the damage could be permanent.

How much can I expect from the Elmiron lawsuit?

Because of the serious and debilitating nature of victims’ injuries, most settlements have had high amounts. Some plaintiffs with total vision loss have received a settlement payout of nearly $1,000,000. While nothing can restore your sight after Elmiron-related vision loss, a settlement award can help you pay for your new way of life.

Do doctors still prescribe Elmiron?

Yes. Not only are doctors prescribing Elmiron, they’re still recommending it for patients with interstitial cystitis. The reason for this surprising fact is that Elmiron is still the only prescription drug approved by the FDA to treat interstitial cystitis. It remains to be seen if another, safer drug will make it to market at any time.

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