Johnson & Johnson Hid Elmiron Eye Damage, Alleges Class Action Lawsuit

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A Massachusetts man says that he must now be monitored for serious eye damage after taking the medication Elmiron to treat interstitial cystitis in a class action lawsuit filed against Johnson & Johnson Friday.  

Lead plaintiff, William Weber, filed his lawsuit in federal court in New Jersey as a part of consolidated litigation alleging that Johnson & Johnson and its affiliates hid harmful side effects of its bladder control drug from consumers. Weber claims that neither he or his physicians were warned about the increased risk of severe damage to the macula posed by Elmiron.  

Weber says that he took the drug between 2004 and 2019. He claims that, during that time, the drug makers knew of a connection between Elmiron and an increased risk of severe damage to the retina including the macula and resulting vision impairment posed by the use of Elmiron. Weber says that he and his doctors were never warned and, as a result, he now suffers from subcellular damage to his eyes. 

The plaintiff claims that he “is now at a significantly increased risk of contracting Elmiron Maculopathy and requires medical and ophthalmological monitoring for the early detection of this disease.” 

Elmiron, known under the generic name pentosan polysulfate sodium, obtained Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in 1996. The prescription medication helps control pain caused by interstitial cystitis, a condition that causes severe pain in the bladder and pelvic areas in addition to an increase in the frequency of urination. 

The drug works by thinning the blood, which helps relieve the symptoms of interstitial cystitis. The class action lawsuit notes that, while Elmiron is the only oral drug with FDA approval to treat interstitial cystitis specifically, it is not the only available treatment for the condition.  

Weber accuses Johnson & Johnson and its affiliates of falsely marketing Elmiron. Despite the availability of other treatments, the drug makers falsely claimed that Elmiron was the only oral drug to treat interstitial cystitis, alleges the class action lawsuit.  

In fact, claims the class action lawsuit, FDA approval of Elmiron was premised on tests that did not fully examine potential side effects, including eye damage. Weber points to numerous studies conducted prior to FDA approval of the drug that revealed a link between Elmiron and vision problems.

The plaintiff also claims that, despite mounting evidence that the drug causes severe eye damage, Johnson & Johnson continued to market Elmiron without updating its warning label.  

Weber seeks to join the Elmiron MDL, representing patients who were not warned of the potentially severe side effects of the drug.  

Do you take Elmiron? Have you suffered from vision loss or eye damage? We want to hear from you! Tell us about your experience in the comment section below.  

The plaintiff is represented by Melanie H. Muhlstock, Jerrold S. Parker, Raymond C. Silverman, and Christopher Oxx of Parker Waichman LLP.  

The Elmiron Eye Damage Class Action Lawsuit is In Re: Elmiron Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2973, In the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.  

Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:

• Elmiron Lawsuits Allege Retinal Damage, Vision Loss
• Is it Safe to Use Elmiron for Interstitial Cystitis?
• Do You Qualify: Elmiron Vision Side Effects Lawsuit Claim Review
• Do You Qualify: Beovu Vision Loss & Blindness Side Effects Lawsuit Claim Review