Elmiron, also known as pentosan polysulfate, is a prescription drug used to treat painful bladder syndrome. Interstitial cystitis affects millions of women in the United States. Therefore, Elmiron is widely used. There have been recent concerns from patients taking the drug on the deterioration of their sight—individuals with a history of long-term risk developing vision problems such as Pigmentary maculopathy. When a doctor prescribes a medication to treat one condition, you do not expect to be left with other medical issues. Unfortunately, an attempt to treat bladder disease could leave you with eye problems.

The link between vision loss and Elmiron is undisputed. Therefore, if you or your loved one is facing the life-changing side effects of Elmiron, you are entitled to compensation. Consequently, you can file a claim or join other individuals with similar grievances to form a mass tort against the Elmiron manufacturers. At Consumer Alert Now, we will offer you any information you may need about Elmiron and guide you to the path of seeking compensation.

The side effects indicated in the Elmiron labels did not cover some of the severe conditions that patients suffered. Some common vision problems that Elmiron users have reported include:

Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration is an age-related eye condition that destroys your central vision gradually. Often individuals with macular degeneration experience blurry vision, which could lead up to vision loss. Macular degeneration occurs when drusen deposits build up. This eye condition is a leading cause of vision loss in individuals over sixty in America. The druse deposits cause atrophy of the sensitive light cells or cause leakage in the blood vessels, resulting in cell damage.

There are two ways macular degeneration can affect your vision, including the development of abnormal cells or loss of the retina cells. The toxicity of Elmiron causes damage to the macula, which plays a significant role in focusing and producing high-resolution images. Individuals who suffer from macular degeneration can experience small parts of their vision with some disturbance in the images' structure.

According to the national eye institute, at least 14% of individuals who suffer from this condition are white Americans aged above 80. The exact cause of macular degeneration has not been established, but increasing age could be a risk factor for the disease. Also, there is no cure for macular degeneration, and all treatments aim at preventing or slowing down the damage.

New research studies have found that patients who took Elmiron to treat interstitial cystitis risk developing macular degeneration. According to the studies, this type of eye disease could be prevented if the pentosan polysulfate manufacturers had warned the public of the drug's side effects. Some of the symptoms of macular degeneration include:

  1. Eye pain
  2. Difficulty reading
  3. Problems with adjusting to darkness or transitioning from bright to dim light.
  4. Vision disturbances that cause to see curved lines
  5. Decreased visual acuity

According to the studies, Elmiron was seen to cause macular degeneration with prolonged use. Since there is no cure for Elmiron-related macular degeneration, you may have to live with the consequences of the drug for a lifetime. In both federal and state courts, lawsuits have been filed against Elmiron manufacturers alleging their drug toxicity concealment.

The risk of macular degeneration resulting from using Elmiron is real. If you have been taking Elmiron, it is crucial to visit a doctor even when you have not developed a severe condition. This will help you learn more about the Elmiron alternatives. Elmiron is the only drug accredited by the FDA to relieve interstitial cystitis. However, there are alternative oral medications that you can take to ease the discomfort and pain caused by interstitial cystitis:

  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications. This class of drugs may include pain relievers
  • Antihistamines. Medications such as Claritin could help reduce the discomfort associated with bladder disease
  • Antidepressants like Tofranil help ease the pain caused by urinary tract infections

Trying to live a healthy lifestyle and avoiding foods that trigger your symptoms could be an alternative to taking Elmiron. Also, other therapies like bladder stimulation and enlargement can help you avoid taking Elmiron. Any condition that affects your vision could significantly impact your life. Fortunately, you can be compensated for the losses you suffered if you file a lawsuit against the drug manufacturers. However, it is crucial to understand that you will need to prove the relationship between the conditions you suffer to Elmiron.

Pigmentary Maculopathy

Elmiron is a prescription drug that treats chronic pain and discomfort of the bladder. Interstitial cystitis is a condition that causes bladder pressure and pain that could affect the whole pelvic area. Elmiron has been in the market since the late 1990s, and it works by forming a layer on the bladder to protect it from harmful substances. Several studies that were carried out found out that patients who take Elmiron for prolonged periods have high toxicity levels that cause retina damage.                                                      

Maculopathy is a progressive eye condition affecting both eyes and could result in vision impairment. Pigmentary maculopathy is a specific type of maculopathy linked to prolonged use of Elmiron. The macula is often a 5mm area located in the retina, and it contains light-detecting cells. The brain interprets the signal from the macular to form images. The macular is responsible for the following functions in the body:

  • Recognizing colors and shapes
  • Reading
  • Focusing on Central vision

Retinal abnormalities can be induced by prolonged use of some drugs like Elmiron. In many cases, you can reverse the toxicity of Elmiron with the discontinuation of the drug. However, in some instances, permanent damage to the retina can occur even after drug cessation. There is an increased prevalence of interstitial cystitis among women. Therefore, they are more likely to suffer from Pigmentary maculopathy.

Pigmentary maculopathy often begins with mild symptoms like blurred vision and trouble focusing. Then, the condition progresses to more severe vision impairments. You may be diagnosed with Pigmentary maculopathy if you exhibit any of the following abnormalities:

  • Dark spots on your retina
  • Atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium
  • Lesions beneath the macula
  • Abnormal pigmentation in the blood vessels
  • Night blindness
  • Blurred vision

Elmiron is a drug accredited by FDA to bring relief from interstitial cystitis. Several studies have been released linking the use of Elmiron to Pigmentary maculopathy. The studies have found that a buildup of pentosan polysulfate, the active component in Elmiron, causes irreversible problems with the retina cells. The research states that exposure to this drug alters the structure of the retina pigment mechanism. The link was confirmed because patients suffering from interstitial cystitis and who were not exposed to Elmiron did not suffer from Pigmentary maculopathy.

This condition has the potential to affect your life significantly. If Pigmentary maculopathy is detected in the early stages, stopping the drug could help stop the damage from progressing. However, in the late stages, Elmiron-related maculopathy can potentially lead to permanent vision loss. Sometimes, the dame could continue even after stopping drug intake.

There is an irrefutable relationship between Elmiron and vision loss. Therefore, you can file a compensation claim if you have suffered Pigmentary maculopathy from the use of this drug.

Optic Neuritis

Optic neuritis is the swelling of the optic nerve. The optic nerve is a bundle of nerves that works to transmit visual information to your brain. The symptoms of optic neuritis may be the first signs of multiple sclerosis you experience. Some people who suffer from optic neuritis recover their vision without much treatment. Optic neuritis often affects one eye and is characterized by the following symptoms:

  • Loss of color vision causing you to see colors as less vivid
  • Visual field loss where our side vision is impaired
  • Severe pain with eye movement
  • Loss of vision on one eye

Even though the exact cause of optic neuritis is unknown, the condition develops when the immune system targets the substance that covers the optic nerve causing the area to swell. With recent studies arising from patient complaints, prolonged use of the bladder disease drug Elmiron has been associated with optic neuritis. The use of pentosan polysulfate could cause permanent damage to the optic nerve causing prolonged vision loss.

Optic neuritis can significantly affect your life and your daily activities. Therefore, filing a compensation claim against the manufacturer of Elmiron will allow you to recover compensation for the losses you incurred from the drug.

Macular Dystrophy

Macular dystrophy is a rare eye condition that causes the macula's deterioration, a sensitive part of the retina. The macular is the part with the highest concentration of light-sensitive cells. When your macular is scarred from this condition, your central vision will be affected. Macular dystrophy differs significantly from macular degeneration, which is a common eye condition. While smoking and aging could be risk factors for developing macular degeneration, macula dystrophy is linked to genetic mutations. Due to the similarities in symptoms, it isn't easy to distinguish between the two conditions.

Patients who have used Elmiron to treat bladder disease have been seen to suffer from macular dystrophy. Prolonged exposure to pentosan polysulfate has been linked to the macula's deterioration, which results in this condition. The symptoms of macular dystrophy vary between individuals. However, when the condition progresses, you could notice dark spots in your vision or things that appear to be far away.

Even with the apparent symptoms, you will need to visit a retinal specialist to determine the disease's nature and receive the necessary treatment. If you feel that the use of Elmiron caused your macular dystrophy, you can join a mass tort against Janssen manufacturers to recover compensation.

Retinopathy

Recent scientific studies have linked the use of Elmiron to damage the retina to a condition known as retinopathy. There are several types of retinopathy, all of which involve disease of the small retinal blood vessels. Retinopathy caused by pentosan polysulfate sodium could result in partial or total blindness. Some of the common symptoms of Elmiron induced retinopathy may include:

  • Blind spots in the field vision
  • Reduced vision sharpness
  • Distorted shapes
  • Decreased peripheral vision
  • Eyestrain

When detected early, retinopathy can be corrected and protect you from a more serious condition. Several lawsuits have been filed against Janssen Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of pentosan polysulfate. In the lawsuits, the plaintiffs accused the defendants of failing to adequately warn physicians and the public of some serious side effects of Elmiron. 

A group of researchers presented their findings to the American Association of Ophthalmologists concluding that Elmiron caused severe damage to the retina. Among the side effects indicated in the drug label, manufacturers did not warn physicians and the public of retinopathy risk. If you or your loved one has suffered retinopathy or another serious eye injury from the use of Elmiron, you are entitled to compensation as part of the injury claim.

Blindness

According to researchers, about one-quarter of patients with prolonged exposure to Elmiron have shown eye damage signs. Based on the study, Elmiron could cause blindness, among other severe eye conditions. Blindness from the use of Elmiron can be easily mistaken for other eye conditions such as age-related macular degeneration. The risk of blindness from Elmiron intake is significant. However, the definite relationship between pentosan polysulfate and blindness has not been established.

Some of the eye injuries from Elmiron that could lead up to blindness include:

  • Blurry vision. Many patients who have taken Elmiron to treat bladder disease have raised concerns on whether the drug causes blurry vision. Blurry vision is a common side effect of Elmiron and could indicate far more severe eye damage.
  • Vision loss. Elmiron has been the only prescription drug used to treat painful bladder conditions. However, recent studies discovered that many patients who have been using the drug presented with vision loss for some time. Sometimes individuals suffered unilateral, bilateral vision loss, which could lead to total blindness.

Even though cessation of drug intake could prevent the disease's progression, some individuals could suffer severe eye damage even after discontinuing the drug. If you suffer partial or total blindness from using Elmiron, you will significantly benefit from legal guidance. At consumer Alert Now, we will connect you with legal experts who will offer you the guidance you need to pursue compensation for your damages.

Scotoma

In the wake of a recall and FDA warnings about potential eye damage from Elmiron, many patients were concerned about the link between Elmiron and Scotoma. A Scotoma is a blind spot in your vision. A Scotoma can appear in the center of your vision or outside the edges. A Scotoma can be caused by injuries and diseases such as retinal damage, brain damage, exposure to dangerous substances, or multiple sclerosis.

Scotoma is one of the serious eye conditions linked to prolonged use of Pentosan polysulfate sodium. Early research has indicated that Elmiron could cause dark spots on your eyes and impair your vision. According to the study done in 2018, researchers found that many patients taking Elmiron showed clear evidence of retinal damage that resulted in Scotoma.

There are several lawsuits against Janssen pharmaceuticals for different eye complications resulting from Elmiron. Therefore, if you have suffered a Scotoma from using this drug, it would be wise to join a mass tort for the drug to seek compensation. The process of joining a mass tort is complicated due to the numerous forms of eye conditions that result from this drug. Therefore, you need to seek some expert guidance.

Retinal Pigment Epithelium Atrophy

The retinal pigment epithelium is a single-layered post-mitotic cell. The RPE functions as a selective barrier and a vegetative regulator of the photoreceptor. Also, it plays a significant role in its maintenance of retinal health. Through the activity and expression of proteins, it transports nutrients and waste to and from the retina. The retinal epithelium protects your retina from excessive energy light.

RPE atrophy occurs when the cells around the retinal epithelium die and their function is impaired. Some of the people who claim to have been hurt by Elmiron reported RPE atrophy as a side effect of the bladder medication Elmiron. Research has shown that pentosan polysulfate causes degeneration of the retina cells, leading to complete damage.

Join an Elmiron Mass Tort Near Me

Elmiron is a drug commonly prescribed to individuals with bladder interstitial cystitis, a bladder disease affecting older women. Sadly, many individuals using this drug have reported numerous vision problems. Recent lawsuits against Janssen Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturers of Elmiron, allege that the manufactures knew of the side effects but failed to warn physicians and the public.

Due to the negligence of the manufacturers of pentosan polysulfate, you can file a claim against them to recover compensation for the injuries caused by this drug. If you want to file a claim against Jason pharmaceuticals, you could join a class-action lawsuit to seek compensation. However, you need to prove that you suffered similar injuries to other individuals in the mass tort. To ensure a successful case, you might need expert guidance from Consumer Alert Now. We work hard to connect you with the relevant legal personnel to facilitate compensation for your claim. Call us today at 800-511-0747 to discuss more details of your situation.