Eye Drop Elmiron May Cause Retinal Damage and Vision Loss
Several reports suggest that long-term use of Elmiron eye drop can cause severe problems. Many patients have reported damage to their eyes, retinal maculopathy, and even a loss of vision. Some have even filed lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson.
Eye damage
Hundreds of thousands of people have taken Elmiron, a drug prescribed for interstitial cystitis (IC). But in recent years, studies have linked the drug to vision problems. Some of these problems may be irreversible, including blindness.
In early 2018, a study conducted by Emory University’s Eye Center revealed that Elmiron is linked to a new type of macular eye damage. The macula is the central part of the retina, which delivers clear central vision. Several studies have linked Elmiron to pigmentary maculopathy, a type of eye damage that may result in blindness.
Elmiron’s label warns that it can cause blurred vision and sensitivity to low light. But the study found that patients who took Elmiron had an increased risk of retinal damage, especially at higher dosages. Specifically, 25% of Elmiron users had signs of retinal maculopathy.
Researchers examined the medical histories of six Elmiron patients and found that all of them had the same type of eye disease. All six had taken Elmiron for at least 15 years.
Another study performed by doctors at the Kaiser Permanente clinic found that 140 Elmiron users had noticeable eye damage. The study found that patients who took 1,500 grams or more of Elmiron a year had a higher risk of developing vision problems.
Thousands of Elmiron users have developed other eye problems, including cataracts and glaucoma. These problems may have been misdiagnosed, but they are serious enough that they may qualify for compensation.
Other studies have linked Elmiron to retinal pigment epithelium atrophy, a condition that causes cells in the retina to degenerate. These findings were reported in the November 2018 issue of Ophthalmology.
Despite the fact that these findings suggest Elmiron may be toxic to the retina, the manufacturer still chose not to make these findings public until 2020. This is in contrast to other drug manufacturers that document the potential side effects of their medications for public benefit.
If you or someone you know has taken Elmiron and suffered eye damage, it is important to discuss your options with an experienced pharmaceutical liability attorney. If you believe you may be entitled to compensation, contact Berman & Simmons today.
Retinal maculopathy
Several studies have linked long-term use of Elmiron with eye damage, including the development of a condition called pigmentary maculopathy. The condition affects the pigment cells of the retina, and can result in blindness. Some researchers also believe that the maculopathy may be a result of the drug’s toxicity.
Researchers at the Emory Eye Center have conducted a study that suggests that long-term use of Elmiron causes damage to the retinal pigment epithelium, which is the layer of cells that support the retina. They found that the drug was toxic to the retina, and recommended that patients stop using the drug if they are experiencing vision problems.
The study surveyed patients who had been using Elmiron for more than three years. They found that 25% of the patients were experiencing eye damage. Researchers also found that the damage worsened with time. In addition, the study found that patients who had used Elmiron for longer than three years had a higher risk of developing pigmentary maculopathy.
The study was conducted by researchers at the Emory Eye Center, which has studied patients who were diagnosed with a range of eye problems. The patients all had a history of using Elmiron for interstitial cystitis. In addition, researchers found that the damage appeared to be avoidable.
The study also found that the toxicity of Elmiron mimics pattern dystrophy, another type of eye damage. This condition, which affects the retinal pigment epithelium, is similar to age-related macular degeneration. Symptoms of this condition include extreme sensitivity to light, blurred vision, and difficulty shifting from natural light to indoor light. Symptoms may appear before the damage occurs.
Researchers at the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) also found that long-term use of PPS increased the risk of developing toxic maculopathy. Specifically, the researchers found that the toxicity increased with the volume of the drug taken. The study was based on data from the medication’s list of side effects, which was updated in January 2020. Currently, there is no mention of potentially life-altering maculopathy on the drug’s label. However, researchers plan to follow up with additional trials and studies to determine the risk factors and preventative measures.
Lawsuits against J&J
Several lawsuits against J&J over Elmiron long-term use claim the drug company misled the public about the risk of eye damage. The plaintiffs allege that J&J failed to warn about this risk and that the company’s subsidiary, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, covered up the risk.
Elmiron is a prescription medication used to treat interstitial cystitis, a bladder condition that causes chronic pain and discomfort. However, studies have shown a connection between the medication and the onset of maculopathy, a degenerative retina disease that can lead to vision problems and blindness.
Elmiron has been marketed as a safe and effective treatment for bladder problems. However, studies show that the human body does not easily absorb Elmiron, and that there are serious risks associated with its use. These risks include retinal hemorrhage and macular degeneration.
Plaintiffs in these lawsuits claim that J&J was aware of the risk but failed to warn consumers about it. They claim that Janssen failed to update the Elmiron warning label to include any mention of maculopathy. The company also failed to include permanent eye conditions on its list of side effects, which means that patients taking the drug could experience temporary problems such as conjunctivitis.
The process of filing an Elmiron lawsuit can be complex and may involve multiple states. If you or someone you know is injured by Elmiron, you should contact a pharmaceutical liability attorney as soon as possible. Typically, claimants must provide proof of their injury, describe the drug’s cause of injury, and show that the company failed to protect consumers from harm.
A number of lawsuits against J&J over Elmiron have been filed since the drug was marketed. Thousands of claims are pending in state and federal courts. The lawsuits allege that J&J was aware of the risk of eye damage from Elmiron before the product went on the market, but that the company did not warn consumers about the risk.
Some of the claims in the Elmiron lawsuits are related to wrongful death. If you or someone you know has been injured by Elmiron, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental health care, and ambulance fees.
FDA-approved drugs are both effective and safe
Until recently, the manufacturers of Elmiron, a drug used to treat interstitial cystitis, didn’t warn doctors or patients of the possibility of long-term vision damage. However, recent studies have found that the drug may lead to retinal damage and vision loss. Consequently, the FDA has added these diseases to its list of serious risks.
A study conducted by Emory University researchers has found that using Elmiron may increase the risk of developing maculopathy, a degenerative eye disorder. Symptoms include blurred vision, difficulty seeing in the dark, and blind spots.
The study was conducted on six patients with interstitial cystitis who had been taking Elmiron for at least 15 years. These patients had taken an average of 14,067 capsules. Researchers found that the more capsules the patient had taken, the more likely they were to develop maculopathy.
The study was discontinued when the results were not positive. However, other studies have shown that Elmiron has some effect on reducing the symptoms of interstitial cystitis. The drug is a synthetic GAG layer that functions to protect the bladder wall from irritating substances in the urine.
The drug was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1996, and has been used to treat interstitial cystitis since then. It has been prescribed to millions of people in the United States. However, the drug has a history of limited effectiveness.
A recent study published in the Journal of Ophthalmology found that Elmiron users may experience permanent eye damage. In addition, researchers found that the drug may also lead to macular degeneration, a condition that causes vision loss in the center of the eyes.
Elmiron (pentosan polysulfate sodium) is prescribed to treat pain associated with interstitial cystitis. The drug works by restoring the thin bladder wall and reducing the inflammation that causes bladder pain. However, it may take several months for it to begin working.
The FDA labeling of Elmiron will be updated to include a new ADVERSE EFFECTS section in July 2020. In addition to eye problems, this new section will also include possible long-term side effects such as liver damage and blood in the stool.