Sage Datko  |  July 30, 2020

Category: Interstitial Cystitis

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Woman n Elmiron lawsuit claims vision damage

A woman with interstitial cystitis is suing the manufacturers of Elmiron, a drug that may cause vision loss.

Elmiron Lawsuit Filed After Vision Loss

Plaintiff Savannah M. filed her Elmiron lawsuit against Baker Norton U.S., Ivax LLC, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Alza Corporation, Johnson & Johnson, and Bayer Healthcare in 2020 after experiencing vision loss she claims was due to Elmiron.

According to Savannah, she was diagnosed with interstitial cystitis, a painful bladder condition, and began taking Elmiron in 2016 to manage symptoms of the condition. According to the Interstitial Cystitis Association, between 4 million and 12 million people in the U.S. (more men than women) are afflicted with the chronic condition, which causes pelvic pain and urinary urgency.

Without medication, many sufferers experience a decreased quality of life and chronic pain. The only FDA-approved oral medication for the treatment of interstitial cystitis is Elmiron.  However, Elmiron’s side effects may be even worse than the condition itself.

Savannah claims that she was never warned of possible Elmiron side effects and was unaware that the drug could harm her eyesight until the damage was done. According to Savannah, she now has retinal damage, distorted and blurry vision, dark spots in her field of vision, difficulty reading, night blindness, and other vision problems. She believes these issues are a direct result of her exposure to Elmiron between 2016 and 2020.

Close up of woman's blue eyes

About Elmiron and Interstitial Cystitis

Elmiron is the brand name for pentosan polysulfate sodium. While it is unknown exactly how Elmiron works to reduce the painful symptoms of interstitial cystitis, it’s believed that the drug coats the interior of the bladder wall. Those with interstitial cystitis may experience pain due to irritants in the urine that inflame the bladder. Elmiron is believed to form a protective barrier between the bladder and the potential irritants.

Savannah’s Elmiron lawsuit cites the FDA’s statement that the drug works by binding to the exposed epithelium in the bladder. The plaintiff claims that the drug’s manufacturers should have looked into potential side effects when Elmiron comes into contact with other epithelial cells, such as the retinal epithelial cells.

Savannah is far from the only patient to claim that exposure to Elmiron has resulted in eye damage. Several patients have filed lawsuits against drug manufacturers claiming to have lost all or partial vision after taking the drug. According to at least one study on Elmiron’s potential side effects, approximately 25 percent of patients experience eye damage after taking the drug for a significant period of time. This research indicates that Elmiron’s active ingredients may be toxic to the retina, and can result in permanent vision loss or other damage.

Symptoms of Elmiron vision loss may include blurry vision, difficulty reading, distortion of straight lines or images, black spots in the field of vision, and difficulty adjusting to light changes. If you have been prescribed Elmiron for the treatment of interstitial cystitis and have experienced any of these symptoms, you may be eligible to speak with an experienced attorney about your legal options. Some people who experienced eye damage may be able to join or file a class action lawsuit and pursue compensation for injuries, pain and suffering, and medical expenses.

Savannah’s Elmiron Lawsuit is Case No: 4:20-CV-00543, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Kansas City Division.

Join an Elmiron Side Effects Lawsuit Investigation

If you took Elmiron and developed pigmentary maculopathy, you may qualify to participate in an Elmiron side effects lawsuit investigation.

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