Texas Elmiron Lawyer

Elmiron® is a drug for bladder pain that is linked to dozens of cases of macular degeneration, vision loss, blindness, and other eye problems.

Need a Texas Elmiron Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one was diagnosed with maculopathy after taking Elmiron, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.

UPDATE: Elmiron Lawsuits Centralized in MDL

Instead of a class action, more than 100 ELmiron lawsuits nationwide have been coordinated in a Multi-District Litigation (MDL) in the District of New Jersey under U.S. District Judge Brian Martinotti: MDL 2973 – In re Elmiron (Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium) Products Liability Litigation.

What Do Elmiron Lawsuits Claim?

All of these Emiron lawsuits in federal court accuse Johnson & Johnson and Janssen Pharmaceuticals of failing to warn patients that they may develop vision loss or blindness due to retinal injuries. Furthermore, the drug-makers are accused of failing to recommend routine eye exams until the label was finally updated in June 2020.

FDA Updates Elmiron Label Updated With Retina Pigmentary Changes, Maculopathy

In June 2020, the FDA updated the warning label on Elmiron to include the risk of vision problems, such as retinal pigmentary changes and maculopathy.

According to the FDA warning:

Although most of these cases occurred after 3 years of use or longer, cases have been seen with a shorter duration of use. While the etiology is unclear, cumulative dose appears to be a risk factor.”

What is Elmiron?

Elmiron® (generic: pentosan polysulfate or PPS) is a medication for interstitial cystitis, also known as “painful bladder syndrome.” It is also sometimes used for osteoarthritis. It was approved in the U.S. in 1996.

Bladder Drug Linked to Risk of Vision Loss

Dozens of people on long-term treatment with Elmiron developed permanent vision loss or blindness due to a disease called “pigmentary macuopathy.” Unfortunately, this risk is not on the label.

Warning Signs & Symptoms

• Blind spots
• Vision loss
• Dimming vision
• Trouble with near vision
• Problems reading
• Problems adjusting to darkness
• Distorted vision
• Blindness

Study Links Emiron and Maculopathy

In 2018, a study published by the American Academy of Ophthalmology reported 6 patients who developed a severe eye side effect called pigmentary maculopathy after taking Elmiron for a median of 15.5 years.

The primary complaints reported by the patients were trouble reading and problems adjusting their eyes to darkness.

In 2019, the authors updated the study with another 32 probable cases of maculopathy from Elmiron. Furthermore, they warned about “a potential severe toxicity.”

Elmiron Vision Loss is Likely Permanent, Experts Warn

Unfortunately, it is likely that blindness from Elmiron is permanent according to the authors of the study. They warned: “The vision-threatening pigmentary maculopathy identified in this study is irreversible and vision loss of this nature is not recoverable.”

What is Macular Degeneration?

One of the most common forms of maculopathy is macular degeneration, an eye disease that causes vision loss in the middle of a person’s field of vision. This is a devastating condition that can dramatically decrease quality of life, making a person unable to read, drive a car, or live independently.

Elmiron and Maculopathy

Elmiron is specifically linked to pigmentary maculopathy, which causes damage to the macula. The macula is a part of the eye in the center of the retina. It is responsible for collecting highly-detailed images and sending those images to the brain for interpretation.

What Should I Do?

Patients on Elmiron who developed severe eye problems may be eligible to file a lawsuit. Our lawyers help people who were injured by medications seek compensation for pain and suffering, medical bills, lost income, permanent disability, decreased quality of life, and more.

Need an Elmiron Lawyer in Texas?

Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.

Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”

The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our law firm for a free case review.