What is Elmiron?
Elmiron (pentosan polysulfate sodium) is a drug that has been prescribed for several decades for the treatment of interstitial cystitis—a condition that causes pain in the pelvic area and bladder. It is only available by prescription. The drug has been on the market since 1996 and is the one drug approved by the FDA for the treatment of painful bladder syndrome (interstitial cystitis).
What Are the Elmiron Lawsuits About?
Several studies between 2015 and the present have demonstrated findings that support a link between extended Elmiron use and retinal maculopathy.
- In 2015, several ophthalmologists from Atlanta, Ga. noted retinal maculopathy in six of their patients who all happened to be taking Elmiron for extended periods.
- In 2019, three ophthalmologists presented their findings to the American Academy of Ophthalmology demonstrating that out of a study of 91 patients who used Elmiron over fifteen years, 24% retinal maculopathy resulting in difficulty reading, blurred vision, dark spots, and trouble adapting to low light. Twenty-two of those people also reported damage in the eye and visual disturbances.
In addition to the above studies, several other studies have revealed evidence supporting a link between long-term Elmiron use and retinal disease that continues in some cases even after use is discontinued.
How Do I Know if I Qualify?
If you have taken Elmiron for more than three years and have experienced vision issues, you may be entitled to compensation. The only way to know for sure is to speak to an Elmiron lawsuit attorney. Because this is an emerging understanding of the link between Elmiron, your doctor may have diagnosed your condition as many different things such as macular degeneration, retinal maculopathy, retinal maculopathy of unknown origin or pigmentary maculopathy are common diagnoses. Side effects that may result from the condition include:
- Vision loss
- Visual disturbances
- Difficulty reading
- Metamorphopsia (straight lines appear curved)
- Scotoma (partial vision loss in the form of blind spots)
- Eye pain
- Difficulty with eyes adjusting to light or darkness
- Halo vision
- Blurry vision
- Blindness
What is Pigmentary Maculopathy?
Pigmentary maculopathy is a type of retinal maculopathy that causes a change in the color of the eye’s pigment cells in the retina. Pigmentary maculopathy has been linked to the long-term use of Elmiron. The damage caused by this condition is similar to the damage done by age-related macular degeneration of the retina.
FDA Approves New Warning Label
Despite the apparent dangers of long-term use of Elmiron, the FDA did not require a recall of the product. Instead, the FDA has approved the continued sale of Elmiron with a new warning label. As of June 2020, the new warning label reads”
Pigmentary changes in the retina, reported in the literature as pigmentary maculopathy, have been identified with long-term use of ELMIRON®
The new warning goes on the state that while most of the cases involved 3 years or more of use, some were shorter. It goes on to identify some of the most commonly reported conditions and recommends a baseline and regular eye exams.
Elmiron Eye Injury Lawsuits
If you have suffered from any of the aforementioned eye injuries following the long-term use of Elmiron, call Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. to be connected with a mass torts attorney investigating eye damages caused by Elmiron today. The consultation is always free and you pay no fees nor expenses unless a recovery is made for you. Call 1-800-298-0111 to get connected to an Elmiron lawsuit lawyer today.
Warning: Do not stop taking a prescribed medication without first consulting a physician.
