Elmiron Lawsuit for Vision Loss & Blindness

Bladder discomfort and pain associated with interstitial cystitis (IC) can lead to debilitating conditions.

Many interstitial cystitis patients have found relief through Elmiron, but reports of vision loss have surfaced in recent years after Elmiron use. The number of people who report severe eye injury and vision loss after taking this medication grows daily.

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC, our personal injury attorneys handle Elmiron vision loss lawsuits involving patients who took the drug and experienced a devastating injury. Many of our Elmiron cases claim that long-term exposure to the drug causes maculopathy (macular degeneration).

Contact our dangerous drug lawyers at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone call) or use the contact form to schedule a free case review of your Elmiron lawsuit. We can help you receive Elmiron vision compensation if you have developed an eye injury after taking the drug!

Bladder Pain Syndrome and Interstitial Cystitis

Many people are diagnosed with bladder discomfort and pain associated with interstitial cystitis (IC), but the treatment options for this condition can be limited.

One medical treatment for IC is a combination of Elmiron and other medications, such as steroids or anti-inflammatories. However, many patients claim that these drugs do not work well enough to relieve their symptoms. In addition, they say they experience side effects from the therapy and want an alternative treatment option.

The treatment for this condition has been controversial because of its side effects. However, Elmiron is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved medication used to treat symptoms of IC and other conditions related to bladder problems, such as overactive bladder syndrome (OAB).

Approximately two million people in the United States experience interstitial cystitis or painful bladder syndrome.

Still, there is a growing concern that long-term use of this drug could cause maculopathy, an eye disorder affecting the macula (central part of the retina), and a significant cause of vision loss, leading to blindness.

Elmiron Lawsuit and Blurred Vision

Elmiron works by coating the bladder walls and reducing irritation from urine contact. It is believed that this coating reduces pain and helps alleviate other common symptoms of interstitial cystitis. the medication can be taken orally or via injection, depending on individual needs and preferences.

Unfortunately, some patients taking the drug have reported experiencing eye problems such as distorted vision and discomfort. Multiple reports and studies have linked taking the medication for long periods to vision problems, eye disease, eye injury, and potential permanent vision loss.

Sometimes, your doctor may want to adjust the dosage or switch medications due to concerns about potential Elmiron vision loss from side effects like these.

File an Elmiron Lawsuit for Your Vision Loss Problems

Many people have interstitial cystitis, called ‘painful bladder syndrome.’ This disease is a severe condition that causes lots of pain and suffering.

To alleviate these health issues for adult patients, doctors have prescribed Elmiron, a prescription medication used to treat interstitial cystitis and chronic bladder pain.

Alleged Eye Injury from Elmiron

Patients have experienced several adverse reactions from the dangerous Janssen Pharmaceuticals drug and developed serious visual symptoms that could be permanent due to exposure to pentosan polysulfate used to treat bladder pain.

The drug’s active ingredient is the supposed link between Elmiron and severe eye injury.

Complications from Elmiron Use

Because of chronic exposure to pentosan, some patients lose their field of vision not associated with age-related macular degeneration or retinal disease. It causes vision damage, vision impairment problems, and difficulty reading.

Other Elmiron victims experienced significant hair loss in one area, where the condition sometimes reversed after stopping the medication, allowing the hair to grow back.

The vision and retinal damage associated with the drug led the FDA to an Elmiron recall involving the Janssen Pharmaceuticals drug (a subsidiary of Johnson Johnson (J & J)).

Patients reported the need to adapt to dim lighting when reading or looking at objects after taking Elmiron. The dimming of natural or artificial light could restrict seeing anything except up close.

Some users who experienced permanent eye damage or impaired and distorted vision problems (paracentral scotoma) after taking prescribed Elmiron have filed an Elmiron lawsuit against the drug manufacturer Janssen Pharmaceuticals.

Attorneys Committed to Protecting People with Vision Problems After Elmiron Use

The good news is that you or a loved one may be eligible for compensation via an Elmiron lawsuit against J & J via an Elmiron vision loss lawsuit.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC works with victims of prescription malpractice, including prescription drug Elmiron patients with eye problems like retinal maculopathy and pigmentary maculopathy.

Our legal team of experienced Elmiron lawsuit attorneys helps them file Elmiron lawsuits for financial compensation if they have been harmed due to negligent medication advice.

Call our law firm today if you were harmed after taking Elmiron. Our phone number is (888) 424-5757. You could also go online and fill out a contact form. Our Elmiron attorneys offer a free case review to every potential client before forming an attorney-client relationship.

Hear about how Elmiron lawyers can assist you with getting compensation with an Elmiron lawsuit for your vision problems, eye injury, retinal damage, pattern dystrophy, retinal pigmentary maculopathy, retinopathy, or other potentially permanent vision damage.

For example, in some Elmiron cases, part of the retina was destroyed, leading to people permanently losing their vision.

What is Elmiron, and How is It Used?

Elmiron is a semi-synthetic polysulfated xylan medication. The medicinal name for the drug pentosan polysulfate sodium (PPS) identifies its chemical makeup.

For a time, doctors prescribed this prescription for blood-thinning purposes. However, recent studies show that the medication was not remarkably successful as an anticoagulant, as it did cause excessive bruising in some users.

What it was more commonly used for was addressing arthritis and interstitial cystitis. Arthritis happens when the cartilage around bones breaks down over time. Interstitial cystitis is a chronic problem causing bladder pain. When IC occurs, the bladder undergoes increased pain and pressure.

It also triggers pain in the surrounding body area, sometimes called bladder pain syndrome.

What Damage Does Elmiron Cause and What Symptoms Does It Show?

The prescription and use of Elmiron have led to several troubling complications for people across the country. Numerous patients have experienced pain in their head, stomach, and other body parts while on the drug, besides eye injury and Elmiron vision impairments.

Elmiron Linked to Pigmentary Maculopathy

The most severe effect reportedly linked to taking Elmiron has been pigmentary maculopathy resulting in an eye condition and blindness. Maculopathy is a term that refers to general pathological issues with the macula.

The macula is the area in the middle of the retina that controls acuity and sensitivity. An ophthalmologist can determine any age-related macular degeneration that has occurred.

Macular degeneration (like retinal maculopathy) caused by Elmiron has been labeled “pigmentary” but does not have known etiological sources.

The diseases can manifest in many different forms for patients taking the medication. You could experience vision difficulty reading at work or leisure due to Elmiron vision loss.

Yet, there are some frequent symptoms that evidence maculopathy due to Elmiron.

Eye Symptoms From Prescription Drug Elmiron

Here are some common symptoms:

• Vessel and capillary swelling, damage, and abnormality around the retina and eye generally
• Yellow lesions beneath the macula. Note some doctors refer to this condition as adult pattern macular dystrophy
• Atrophy within the retina and around the macula
• Dark pigmentation within the retina
• Blurred vision, difficulty reading, impaired focus
• Permanent vision loss

If you have taken Elmiron and experienced side effects, you are likely concerned about other damages the medicine could cause.

Elmiron (Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium) and Permanent Vision Loss

The National Center for biotechnology information, published by the National Library of Medicine, released a report in November 2018 on the visual disturbance associated with cumulative exposure to the active ingredient in Elmiron, pentosan polysulfate sodium.

The case study involved six adult patients exposed to PPS. In one case, patients showed paracentral RPE atrophy, the death of retinal pigment epithelial cells.

The atrophy typically occurs in a geographic area that affects vision, where a patch of the retina and its functions are lost.

Elmiron Side Effects

Physicians typically prescribe Elmiron (pentosan polysulfate sodium) as a bladder protectant to control bladder discomfort and pain due to irritation or inflammation (cystitis).

However, the medication is also a weak anticoagulant with serious side effects that include:

• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Dizziness
• Hair loss
• Depression
• Nausea
• Skin rash
• Itching
• Stomach pain
• Upset stomach
• Headache
• Mood/mental changes
• Unusual bleeding (blood in the stool)
• Unusual bruising
• Swallowing discomfort

Many doctors prescribe Elmiron to restore leaky, thin, or damaged bladder surfaces (GAG – glycosaminoglycans). The bladder surface is a mucous coating that protects the bladder wall and guards against irritation and bacteria.

Doctors often prescribe a typical dose of 100 mg of the medication taken orally three times a day, with symptoms diminishing in approximately a month.

Usually, the dosage is taken for approximately six months before the treatment is discontinued.

Sometimes, the doctor will prescribe other medications concomitantly with Elmiron, including antihistamines and antidepressants in low doses. However, the cumulative dose appears to place patients at risk of vision loss due to exposure to pentosan polysulfate sodium, the drug’s active ingredient.

However, the liver must metabolize the drug’s active ingredient, pentosan polysulfate sodium. Because of that, doctors often perform periodic liver function tests to ensure no damage has occurred to the organ.

Can the Bladder Lining Heal Itself?

The bladder can regenerate and self-repair damaged areas harmed through injury or infection.

The body’s progenitor cells that develop in the early stages of development are highly effective at repairing injuries to the bladder lining.

Elmiron and Liver Damage

Because the medication must be metabolized in the liver and spleen, there is a potential that pentosan polysulfate sodium, the active ingredient in Elmiron, can lead to liver damage.

The potential of drug saturation with continued dosing could cause health problems.

It is essential to tell your doctor if you are taking any blood thinners that might have a drug-to-drug interaction due to commonly experienced anticoagulant effects.

Allergic Reactions and Photosensitivity

When taking prescribed Elmiron, some patients have reported experiencing an allergic reaction to the active ingredients in the drug. The most severe allergic reactions include signs like hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face and throat.

If you experience any of these symptoms while taking Elmiron, you should stop taking the drug immediately and seek medical attention as soon as possible.

In addition to allergic reactions, some patients may experience increased photosensitivity when using Elmiron. It means they may be more susceptible to sunburns or other damage from UV exposure.

It’s essential for IC sufferers who take this medication to wear sunscreen when outdoors and use protective clothing if they plan on spending extended periods in direct sunlight.

Overall, the prescribed Elmiron drug is an effective bladder medication for treating IC symptoms. Still, it’s important to be aware of potential side effects before starting a new course of treatment. Make sure you consult your doctor about any allergies or sensitivities before beginning a course on Elmiron so that any risks can be identified.

History of Elmiron Problems and Government Response

In recent years, problems surrounding Elmiron prescription and macular degeneration have surfaced in the medical community. They mainly emanated from academia, but some studies have emerged from the private sector.

A simple review will offer great insight into the breaking timeline of Elmiron vision loss, and the rapid development of this medical issue is of great concern.

Spring 2018

Physicians working at the Emory Eye Center at the Emory School of Medicine published a study demonstrating that six patients developed special pigmentary retinal maculopathy after chronic exposure to Elmiron. They note particular harm to the retinal pigment epithelium with partial vision loss.

Spring 2019

The same doctors at the Emory Eye Center released another study with the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAOS) demonstrating that patients with a medical history of cystitis but no exposure to Elmiron did not have the same vision loss problems, pigmentary maculopathy, age-related macular degeneration, or eye condition as those who did take the drug.

The Emory Eye Center report also encourages patients to discontinue the prescription if they have maculopathy or eye disease symptoms.

Fall 2019

Kaiser Permanente discloses the findings of its study regarding Elmiron. It finds high levels of drug toxicity, especially in those Elmiron vision patients with higher dosage levels.

Winter 2019

A British Journal of Ophthalmology study determined that Elmiron usage created a higher rate of vision loss problems such as macular disease and retinal maculopathy seven years into their prescription use.

January 2020

The National Institute of Health published an article that followed the Canadian Urological Association Journal (CUAJ) and published information on the FDA-approved oral medication Elmiron.

The medical literature reveals alarming findings and asks doctors to disclose that regular Elmiron usage results in ‘the emergence of this potential toxicity to expose patients” taking the medication.

PPS (pentosan polysulfate sodium) is marketed as a ‘synthetic polysaccharide that binds to the urothelium, providing a protective layer that may help prevent painful irritation from components of the urine.’

The American Academy of Ophthalmology reported on 13 patients with PPS maculopathy at the October 2009 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology in Chicago, Illinois. There were no known Elmiron vision loss cases in which patients who had taken Elmiron developed bilateral disease, but it has to be further studied.

By June 2020, the FDA approved numerous changes to the Elmiron safety label, more than two decades after the drug was first sold in the medical marketplace.

Fall 2022

Nearly 1800 active multidistrict litigation (Elmiron MDL) cases are pending against the drug. Judge Brian Martinotti scheduled the first three Elmiron bellwether trials to be heard in January and March 2023, handled by 14 approved lawyers participating in the Plaintiff’s Steering Committee.

Multidistrict litigation saves plaintiffs and defendants money when many Elmiron pigmentary maculopathy lawsuit cases can be resolved after the bellwether Elmiron lawsuits determine how juries find for either side.

Every Elmiron lawyer for each claimant will submit an Elmiron lawsuit detailing their injuries and side effects, and the medical records that support them.

The judge will pull three representative Elmiron vision loss lawsuits from the pool of potential candidates who filed Elmiron lawsuits against Janssen Pharmaceuticals. These Elmiron lawsuits will be the first three Elmiron bellwether trials.

Once the juries render verdicts for the plaintiffs and defendants, Elmiron lawyers will begin negotiating with Janssen Pharmaceuticals concerning the remaining cases.

Should these trials favor the plaintiffs, our law office believes that a global settlement is next for resolving most of the Elmiron cases.

January 2023

No Elmiron multidistrict litigation (Elmiron MDL) has yet been set. However, Elmiron litigation will likely move swiftly in the first few months of 2023, which could determine if a structured Elmiron settlement is set for all victims.

An Elmiron settlement is thought to result in plaintiffs filing Elmiron vision cases that will eventually be organized in varying tiers, according to the level of injury, like vision loss.

Each Elmiron multidistrict litigation (Elmiron MDL) settlement tier will set the amount of financial compensation available. The courts know that many more Elmiron plaintiffs who suffered vision damage will be filing Elmiron vision loss claims in the months and years ahead.

How Many Elmiron Lawsuits Have Already Been Filed?

According to national data, over 1,735 Elmiron lawsuits were filed by September 2022. These cases are pending in the Elmiron multidistrict litigation (Elmiron MDL), waiting for the court to initiate Elmiron eye damage litigation trials.

Until then, Elmiron lawyers representing plaintiffs wait for a domestic and global settlement, making funds available for victims with a severe eye injury caused by the drug.

Clinical Trials

In recent years, scientists have followed the use of Elmiron and conducted randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials of Elmiron in 45 patients with pentosan polysulfate sodium (PPS), which compared the effect of oral pentosan polysulfate with that of oral hydroxyzine.

After three months had elapsed during these clinical trials, it was found that 37 percent showed no improvement while 21 percent of patients showed an improvement.

Is Elmiron Recalled?

Despite adverse findings, the United States government (FDA) and the medical community have failed to take action to prevent the long-term use of Elmiron.

It could issue an Elmiron recall to halt the use of this drug, but it has not yet done so. Some people have filed Elmiron lawsuits against the drug’s manufacturer because of these findings.

Johnson & Johnson admitted that if they make any changes to their product Elmiron, they will not patent it for another ten years.

The FDA first approved Elmiron in 1997. It is unclear why Johnson & Johnson did not inform the FDA of these injuries while testing this drug. In addition, the FDA should have known about Elmiron’s side effects but only disclosed them in 2002.

Scios Inc created Elmiron for the treatment of PPS. Scios, was later acquired by Johnson & Johnson in 1999. It owns the rights to Elmiron and had patents on it until 2021.

Elmiron Macular Degeneration and Personal Injury Claims Against Janssen Pharmaceuticals

In recent years, patients have begun filing claims for financial compensation against the manufacturers of Elmiron (i.e., Janssen Pharmaceuticals) related to severe eye disease and retinal injury.

Their claims suggest that long-term use and exposure have caused severe medical problems, including retinal maculopathy, pigmentary maculopathy, general eye disorder, and other vision issues.

The complaints suggest that the pharmaceutical companies had a duty to warn the consumers of such risks or make and distribute products that did not present such problems.

Yet, these suits against the drugmaker have been brought individually in the United States District Federal Court by plaintiffs taking Elmiron for IC or other bladder conditions.

They have not been filed in an Elmiron class-action lawsuit capacity, but that option has not been ruled out. An Elmiron class action lawsuit allows plaintiffs to bring claims on behalf of groups similarly affected by the prescription drug.

Elmiron Lawsuits and Compensation

Legal claims for prescription malpractice, including Elmiron eye damage lawsuits, implicate several plaintiffs’ compensation forms. Accordingly, they may pursue relief for their increased costs, including medical bills, lost wages, and similar losses.

Plaintiffs can seek to recover for pain, disability, vision impairment, suffering, reduced quality of life, and other intangible harms by filing an Elmiron lawsuit.

Generally, an Elmiron class action lawsuit enables plaintiffs to compensate for the damage done by the defendants.

When analyzing the value of Elmiron class action lawsuits, victims of adverse reactions may estimate how their injuries stack up. Of course, an experienced Elmiron lawyer could assist you in filing the best possible case on an Elmiron lawsuit.

Contact our Elmiron lawsuit lawyers anytime at (888) 424-5757 to discuss your legal options for filing an Elmiron lawsuit during your free case evaluation.

Elmiron Eye Damage Litigation

Our personal injury attorneys review Elmiron litigation throughout the United States in vision loss cases. For example, some plaintiffs allege that the manufacturers of these drugs failed to warn doctors of their dangers and operated on an ‘unreasonably dangerous’ standard.

Experienced Elmiron MDL lawyers further claim that the corporations knew about the risks and made no attempts to remedy them until they faced Elmiron lawsuits and pressure from critics making drug safety claims.

Nevertheless, many lawsuits have already been filed against the manufacturers of these drugs on behalf of people who suffered side effects, including cystitis, bladder infections, vision loss, bleeding, blood clots, and other serious complications.

According to one news source:

“Tens of thousands of patients have filed lawsuits against the makers of Elmiron, a bladder medication prescribed to treat interstitial cystitis (IC). Janssen Pharmaceuticals originally developed these drugs. Patients allege they did not receive proper warnings regarding long-term use’s potentially serious side effects.”

Elmiron Lawsuit Settlements

Elmiron lawyers bring separate lawsuits in local courts where individual plaintiffs file claims citing Teva Pharmaceuticals at fault for damages.

However, many of these lawsuits have been consolidated. The federal government has initiated Elmiron multidistrict litigation (Elmiron MDL) out of the District of New Jersey.

These Elmiron class action lawsuits are overseen by Elmiron MDL Judge Brian R. Martinotti, with class action lawsuit trials set to start in January 2023.

Teva Pharmaceuticals Resolving Some Elmiron Multidistrict Litigation Cases

Teva Pharmaceuticals USA Inc., a subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (‘Teva‘), has agreed to settle 1,500 Elmiron vision loss lawsuits over its drug (pentofiloxone disodium) to resolve many Elmiron cases.

The first Elmiron MDL mass tort settlement involving these Teva branded pharmaceutical products was reached in Elmiron litigation.

The Elmiron settlement did not include Canadian plaintiffs who filed an Elmiron class-action lawsuit against Teva in Ontario on December 13, 2011.

That Elmiron MDL case was adjourned pending the US Elmiron lawsuit settlement. However, Teva Pharmaceuticals USA Inc’s parent company stated it ‘intends to defend its interests in this Elmiron MDL vigorously.’

The MDL Class Action Suit for the Elmiron Lawsuits

The Elmiron lawyers are in the discovery phase of the Elmiron settlement litigations. The New Jersey court wants to keep a handle on how many Elmiron lawsuits have been filed, which is why the number of claims is growing steadily, and then connected to Elmiron MDL lawsuits.

Our Elmiron lawyers are saying there might be thousands of Elmiron vision lawsuits, and they are right!

People are only now beginning to link Elmiron to their eye injuries. Therefore, the experienced Elmiron MDL lawyers anticipate that thousands of individual Elmiron eye damage claims will ultimately be brought.

In addition to Janssen Pharmaceuticals, other defendants in this Elmiron MDL litigation include Teva, Bayer, Alza, Centocor, Ortho-McNeil, and IVAX. An experienced Elmiron lawyer from our law firm will know exactly where to place your Elmiron lawsuit to get the best settlement.

Proving Elmiron Lawsuits for Compensation

Every medical malpractice case requires substantial factual investigation (review of medical records), legal analysis, and communications work. Building a successful Elmiron eye damage lawsuit against Janssen Pharmaceuticals for vision problems takes time, money, and skill.

Even under the best of circumstances, it isn’t easy. It becomes incredibly complicated when you factor in that many states put tight deadlines on Elmiron cases (through statutes of limitations).

Elmiron Lawsuit FAQs

Our personal injury law firm understands that many people who took the prescription drug Elmiron need answers about what to do if they experience vision impairment or vision loss.

An Elmiron attorney from our law offices has answered some of the most common questions below. Contact us at (888) 424-5757 for additional information or schedule a free case evaluation to discuss receiving monetary compensation for your damages through an Elmiron lawsuit.

Hire a Vision Loss Attorney Today for Your Elmiron Lawsuit

Hiring an experienced Elmiron lawyer could help you or a loved one get back on track to improve their health and heal from severe side effects by ensuring our claim results in an excellent Elmiron settlement.

The Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC law firm handles each Elmiron lawsuit on contingency so you can focus on your health while our Elmiron attorneys can successfully resolve your case.

It will not cost you anything upfront to file an Elmiron lawsuit; you can contact our law office at (888) 424-5757 to learn what help awaits you.

Schedule a free consultation to see if the personal injury lawyers at our law firm agree your case meets the Elmiron lawsuit criteria. We have a successful track record involving past mass tort cases like yours.

Our Elmiron lawyers look forward to working with you in an attorney-client relationship to file your Elmiron lawsuit to obtain compensation! All confidential or sensitive information you share with our legal team remains private.

Resources:

• NIH – Facts About Elmiron Therapy for Interstitial Cystitis
• NCBI – Understanding Elmiron Efficacy