Elmiron Vision Loss Lawsuit
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Minneapolis Elmiron Vision Loss Lawsuit Attorneys
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Elmiron is a bladder pain medication that has been linked to serious vision problems, including maculopathy, vision loss, retina damage, macular degeneration, and other diseases of the eye.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with vision problems after taking Elmiron, contact one of our lawyers today. Our team has over 30 years of complex litigation experience and will deliver the Gold-standard advocacy you deserve.
Case Quick Facts
The Problem
The common bladder medication, Elmiron, has been linked to the vision-threatening eye condition, maculopathy.
Elmiron vision loss lawsuits claim that the drug causes a unique eye disorder known as maculopathy and other conditions affecting the retina, which may lead to blindness. The lawsuits also accuse Janssen Pharmaceutical of failing to properly warn the public about the risk of vision problems associated with the use of Elmiron.
Elmiron (pentosane polysufate sodium) has been on the market since 1996 and is manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceuticals. It is used to treat the bladder condition, interstitial cystitis.
The Injuries
Researchers have concluded that long-term use of the bladder medication Elmiron (pentosane polysufate sodium) may result in damage to the retina known as maculopathy. This is a unique type of maculopathy which has only been found in people taking Elmiron. This condition is distinguishable from age-based degeneration, in that it causes a unique pigmentary maculopathy during exposure to Elmiron.
Maculopathy is a progressive disease that can lead to vision loss — usually in both eyes. The disease impacts the part of the eye in the back of the retina that is known as the macula, which controls a person’s ability to read, see fine details in objects, recognize faces and colors, and focus central vision.
Symptoms associated with Elmiron damage include:
- Difficulty reading
- Difficulty adapting to dim lighting
- Areas of vision loss in field of vision
- Problems seeing objects that are close by
- Vision dimming
The Defendant(s)
Elmiron was first released for sale in 1996 by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson.
Elmiron was marketed by Janssen Pharmaceuticals as a safe and effective treatment for interstitial cystitis and osteoarthiritis. However, Elmiron’s current prescribing information provided by the manufacturer lists the drug’s side effects and warnings but does not include any information about the risk of maculopathy.
Researchers estimate that more than one million people in the United States (the majority of sufferers are women) have the condition of interstitial cystitis. Elmiron has been prescribed to hundreds of thousands of people.
Let Us Help
Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC is currently investigating cases where an individual has taken Elmiron and suffered vision problems, including maculopathy, vision loss, retina damage, and other eye diseases. We have been litigating complex cases for over 38 years and will fight to bring you the justice and the Gold standard of advocacy that you deserve.
Contact us today for a free Elmiron vision loss lawsuit consultation.
A Personal Message from Senior Partner Stuart Goldenberg
For decades, millions of consumers trusted the common bladder medication Elmiron to treat their pain. However, research has now uncovered that Elmiron may actually be causing you harm — taking away your ability to see. Negligent drug manufacturers have taken advantage of loose regulations for too long to place profits over the health of their customers. Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC has been holding these manufacturers accountable for their wrongdoing for over three decades. Along the way, we have helped thousands of people obtain justice. We are here for you today. Please allow us to help you get the help and justice you deserve.
The Science Linking Elmiron to Maculopathy
In 2018, Dr. Nieraj Jain, MD, of Emory Eye Center in Atlanta, Georgia, reported that six patients who had been taking Elmiron for 15 years had developed unusual changes in their macula. Neither the patients’ medical histories nor diagnostic testing could explain the abnormalities, and Dr. Jain and his colleagues suspected that the link may be the bladder medication Elmiron, which was a common thread between the patients.
The findings were presented in May 2018 to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Dr. Robin Vora, Dr. Amar Patel, and Dr. Ronald Melles (all ophthalmologists at Kaiser Permanente) researched Dr. Jain’s findings and conducted research on their own patient base in 2019. The three ophthalmologists found one patient who had been treated with Elmiron long-term had been misdiagnosed as having a retinal dystrophy when, in actuality, she suffered from maculopathy.
Given the misdiagnosis, the doctors checked their database of 4.3 million patients and located 140 patients who had taken an average of 5000 pills over 15 years. Of those 140 patients, 91 agreed to come in for an exam.
After research and subsequent analysis, 22 of the 91 patients showed clear signs of drug toxicity, and the rate of toxicity increased with the amount of Elmiron that was consumed — from 11% of those taking 500-1000 grams to 42% of those taking 1500 grams or more.
Several subsequent studies have since been performed by researchers where a statistically significant link between long-term Elmiron usage and maculopathy were identified.
A 2019 Harvard study has noted that the condition can worsen over time and is likely not reversible.
Free Consultations. If you or a loved one developed vision problems after taking Elmiron, contact Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC today for a complementary consultation. We have extensive experience in litigating defective drug cases and believe strongly in promoting safety through accountability.
Elmiron Lawsuit FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have taken Elmiron and been diagnosed with vision problems, including maculopathy, macular degeneration, blindness, retina damage, or other diseases of the eye, you may have a case against the manufacturers.
Multiple studies have found a significant link between long-term use of Elmiron and maculopathy. Many patients who participated in these studies had been taking Elmiron over a long duration developed maculopathy and other vision problems. Often, these vision problems have been misdiagnosed as retinal dystrophy and other disorders of the eye.
Yes. Many users of Elmiron have begun to file lawsuits claiming the medication has caused them to develop vision problems such as maculopathy.
If you are taking Elmiron and have experienced vision problems, contact your doctor or medical provider to discuss treatment options.
If you have been diagnosed with vision problems after taking Elmiron, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
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