Elmiron® Study links bladder drug to vision damage, lawsuits forming.

STUDY: Popular Bladder Infection Drug Can Damage Eyesight

June 3, 2020 — Elmiron® (pentosan polysulfate sodium) is manufactured and marketed by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a division of Johnson & Johnson for the prescribed use to treat the condition called interstitial cystitis, or bladder pain and discomfort.

Elmiron® is the only FDA approved drug to help treat interstitial cystitis, bladder inflammation and bladder pain. Interstitial cystitis is a fairly common condition that affects millions of Americans annually and is more prevalent in women. Female patients reporting bladder infections, urinary tract infections (UTIs), acute bladder pain, and other painful bladder conditions might receive a prescription for Elmiron®.

Although there has been no official recall of Elmiron® nor has Janssen Pharmaceuticals issued any new warnings regarding the drug’s link to macular degeneration, the FDA is evaluating the need for regulatory action on this drug due to recent side effects received on its Medwatch system.

Reports of some users who have taken Elmiron® have experienced vision and or eye problems after as little of six months of use. Others who have taken the drug for 15 years or more are also showing signs of pigmentary maculopathy

Because of these findings Schmidt National Law Group is now offering legal help by filing lawsuits for those who have suffered any eye problems or vision loss from taking Elmiron®. We intend to hold Janssen Pharmaceuticals accountable for lack of proper warning to the public about the possible vision related problems.

Did the Studies on Elmiron® Show a link to pigmentary maculopathy?

Starting in 2018 through 2020 the American Academy of Ophthalmology began looking at the drug.  Some reports now show the possible link to a degenerative eye disorder known in the medical community as pigmentary maculopathy.

A press release made on October 12, 2019 states the following:

“Three ophthalmologists conducted a review of patients at Kaiser Permanente in Northern California. They found that about one-quarter of patients with significant exposure to Elmiron® showed definite signs of eye damage, and that this medication toxicity could masquerade as other known retinal conditions, such as age-related macular degeneration or pattern dystrophy.”

This study then led the American Academy of Ophthalmology to review over 2.5 million people within the Kaiser Permanente system.

In doing research for this article, a search of the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s online database shows the four studies titled: (link source at bottom)

• More Evidence Linking Common Bladder Medication to a Vision-threatening Eye Condition. Oct 12, 2018
• Pigmentary Maculopathy From Chronic Exposure to Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium. Dec 6, 2018
• Prevalence of Maculopathy Associated with Long-Term Pentosan Polysulfate Therapy. Jan 16, 2020
• A Novel Multimethod Image Analysis to Quantify Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium Retinal Toxicity. Feb 29, 2020

What are the known side effects of Elmiron® as shown in the studies?

Some users have had blurred vision while reading. Others have had prolonged dark adaptation, and a few experienced metamorphopsia (a type of distorted vision).

Elmiron® users that have taken the drug for extended periods and have ocular toxicity may experience:

• blurred vision
• vision dimming
• night blindness
• difficulty reading
• blind spots
• loss of close vision

Who can file an Elmiron® lawsuit? Are there settlements being made?

Currently the Schmidt National Law Group is interested in finding victims who have suffered any of the listed side effects above. However if you are unsure that Elmiron® has caused your vision problems, we can still help, simply act by calling us direct at 1-800-631-5656, or use the secure form on this page.

Three questions about Elmiron® lawsuits people are asking.

• How much can you sue for an Elmiron® lawsuit?
• How much compensation would I get from an Elmiron® lawsuit?
• How much is the settlements from an Elmiron® lawsuit?

The answer to these questions can be difficult to predict, as the possible MDL for this hasn’t started yet. There is still time for join in this Elmiron® lawsuit, but there are statutes of limitations that apply.

Some of the past defective drug lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson have had millions of dollars in a compensation fund, that is divided up between claimants who have joined the lawsuit. Example: $100,000,000 in a settlement fund that would serve 1,000 victims would be $100,000 per person. This is only an example and does not represent what may happen for Elmiron®.

Contact the experienced lawyers and attorneys at Schmidt National Law Group today at 800-631-5656 to find out how we can help with your Elmiron® lawsuit claim.

Sources:

https://www.fda.gov/drugs/questions-and-answers-fdas-adverse-event-reporting-system-faers/july-september-2019-potential-signals-serious-risksnew-safety-information-identified-fda-adverse

https://www.aao.org/newsroom/news-releases/

https://www.reviewofophthalmology.com/article/clinical-pearls-for-a-new-condition

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0161642017336953

Elmiron® Study page updated on October 22, 2020.