Since 1996, millions of Americans have been prescribed Elmiron to treat their interstitial cystitis (IC), commonly referred to as the “painful bladder syndrome.” However, recent studies show that there is reason to believe the drug causes severe eye condition that could result in blindness.
Over 200 Elmiron lawsuits have already been filed so far, and more victims are contacting attorneys to help them fight for their rights. A class action multi-district litigation (MDL) has also been created, and there are many more Elmiron lawsuits coming in the months ahead.
In this post, we discuss everything you need to know about Elmiron lawsuit and help you understand whether you are eligible for compensation. So, let us get started.
What Is Elmiron?
Elmiron is a brand name for pentosan polysulfate sodium that belongs to a family of anticoagulant drugs referred to as low molecular weight herapins.
Although most drugs in this category are used as blood thinners, Elmiron is used to manage and treat interstitial cystitis.
Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a bladder-related condition that causes chronic pain, discomfort, and urinary frequency. Approximately 12 million Americans suffer from this condition.
Elmiron treats IC by preventing severe irritation and swelling of the walls of the bladder. The drug adds a synthetic layer of mucus around the bladder to protect it against severe irritation.
The drug is manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc., a corporate subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. It was first approved in 1996. Since then, it has become the standard treatment option for people diagnosed with IC.
Elmiron and Vision Loss
In recent years, Elmiron has come under fire for its perceived links to severe eye damage that could result in blindness. Several Elmiron users across the country have come forward and claimed that it causes a wide range of Elmiron vision loss issues.
Specifically, they claim that the drug causes pigmentary maculopathy– an eye injury of the macula. The macula is the central part of the retina. Therefore, pigmentary maculopathy is a retinal disease that can cause permanent vision loss and total blindness.
It is also alleged that the drug can cause difficulty reading and a wide range of other vision impairments. Some of the common symptoms of pigmentary maculopathy include:
- Blurred vision or dimming.
- Abnormal capillaries and other blood vessels.
- Seeing dark spots.
- Dark spots around the retina.
- Short-sightedness.
- Trouble reading.
- Night blindness or total blindness.
- Yellow, round lesions under the mucula region.
Do You Qualify to Join the Elmiron Class Action Lawsuit?
The risks associated with Elmiron remained unknown until 2015 when doctors at the Atlanta Eye Center came across a strange eye illness they had never seen before in six adults. After a thorough investigation, they concluded that the six patients had developed pigmentary maculopathy.
The condition didn’t seem to have a clear cause, but further examination revealed that all of the six patients had been using Elmiron for several years.
In 2018, a group of researchers led by Dr William A. Pearce published a scientific study in Ophthalmology documenting six cases of a possible novel and avoidable maculopathy associated with PPS exposure.
The research established that individuals who took Elmiron suffered severe retinal damage that could cause vision problems or total blindness.
Several other studies followed, and all findings confirmed that Elmiron had the potential of damaging the retina. In 2020, Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc added a warning for maculopathy with chronic use of Elmiron to its drug labels.
Elmiron lawsuits argue that the drug manufacturer ignored reports from healthcare providers and patients throughout the U.S of Elmiron’s failure to perform as intended and the potential pigmentary maculopathy risk it posed to people who used it for a long time.
Although Elmiron lawsuits are still in the initial stages and no settlements have been reached yet, Elmiron class action lawsuit attorneys expect a significant number of people to come forward and file lawsuits in the coming months.
Has There Been an Elmiron Recall?
No. Despite the existence of substantial evidence showing that Elmiron causes pigmentary maculopathy among its long-term users, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not issued an Elmiron recall.
In fact, the evidence linking the drug to vision problems is growing, and a lot of people want it to be recalled.
Unfortunately, the drugmaker hasn’t shown any signs of addressing eye damage claims or issuing a voluntary recall. It means that more and more individuals continue to be exposed to the risk of developing pigmentary maculopathy.
The FDA has not indicated that it is investigating the drug to establish the credibility of the claims. Based on the current state of affairs, we don’t expect the FDA to launch any regulatory actions against Elmiron any time soon.
What Are Typical Elmiron Lawsuit Settlement Amounts?
If you or your loved took Elmiron and suffered from pigmentary maculopathy or any other eye damage, you could be entitled to huge Elmiron lawsuit settlement amount. File a claim today to stand a chance of recovering the following damages:
- Past and future pain and suffering that resulted from your eye injury. This can be from a physical or mental point of view.
- Wage loss.
- Past and future medical expenses.
- Punitive damages.
- Other economic losses you may have experienced as a result of the eye injuries you suffered.
However, you must keep in mind that class action lawsuits are usually time-sensitive. Therefore, the faster you take action, the higher your chances of getting a favorable outcome.
We Can Help You with Your Elmiron Lawsuit Claim
Have you or your loved one been diagnosed with maculopathy or other eye problems after taking Elmiron?
Do you believe your complications occurred as a result of taking the drug? You could qualify for compensation to recover lost wages, medical expenses and other damages.
At Legal Giant, we have a team of experienced class action attorneys ready to fight for your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve.
Our primary objective is to fight for your rights and ensure you are delighted with the outcome of your case.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation case review and learn more about your options.
