Elmiron Eye Disease Lawsuit

If you or someone you know have taken the drug Elmiron and developed eye disease symptoms over the years, Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers can help you seek compensation. Our team of legal experts is ready to help you seek the justice you deserve for any ailments that occurred from taking this treatment.

If you are interested in seeing if you qualify to file a lawsuit against Elmiron, call us at (561) 800-8000 or fill out our online form to get started with your free consultation.

Formally known as Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium, Elmiron is a drug used to treat the uncomfortable symptoms a bladder disorder called interstitial cystitis can cause. When taking it, it forms a layer on the bladder wall to protect it from anything harmful found in urine. It is also the only oral medication approved by the FDA to treat the symptoms of IC.

Individuals taking the drug Elmiron may notice some side effects that include:

• Diarrhea
• Hair loss
• Nausea
• Headache
• Upset stomach or abdominal pain

More severe side effects that you should seek medical attention for right away include:

• Unusual bruising
• Blood in stool
• Change in vision
• Eye pain
• Mood or mental changes
• Increased heartbeat
• Shortness of breath

Some individuals who have taken the Elmiron drug have suffered permanent damages to the retina, resulting in either blindness or maculopathy. In 2018, a researcher discovered the link to eye damage and Elmiron, which was never brought to the attention of the drug’s participants.

Lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturer, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, since they failed to warn the public and FDA about the possible life-changing side effects taking Elmiron could bring.

The FDA approved Elmiron in 1996, but it wasn’t until years later when six women were being treated for eye diseases that unknowingly came from taking Elmiron. In 2018, three researchers dove into investigating Elmiron and found that one-quarter of patients who have been taking Elmiron for a significant amount of time had shown signs of eye damage.

It wasn’t until last year that Janssen Pharmaceuticals updated their drug information to state that Elmiron could cause eye disease. The drug has yet to be recalled.

Maculopathy is an eye disease that targets the central vision in both eyes. This disease primarily deals with the back of the retina called the macula. The macula is what allows us to read and see objects, colors, and people clearly.

Over time, maculopathy reduces the central vision in the macula, making it hard to know what you are looking at. This disease usually targets both eyes, and if it grows severe enough, it can lead to total blindness.

Other than maculopathy, there are a set of eye diseases that Elmiron can develop in individuals who have taken the drug for long periods of time. These include:

• Blurred vision
• Difficulty reading
• Blindness
• Dimming of vision
• Paracentral Scotoma (off-center blurry spot in vision)
• Metamorphopsia (making linear objects appear curved)
• Halo Vision
• Reduced night vision
• Retinopathy
• Much more

If you have used Elmiron frequently and started noticing damages to your vision, it is time to investigate the possible link to the drug.

Janssen Pharmaceuticals failed to properly warn the public about the possibilities of vision loss for several decades. It wasn’t until doctors and researchers began finding the links to vision loss and the use of Elmiron that lawsuits were starting to be filed. Janssen Pharmaceuticals did not begin to warn the public about this health side effect until 2020, when more people started to step forward to seek compensation.

If you or a loved one has suffered from partial or full eye loss/disease from taking Elmiron, you may qualify to file a lawsuit. Seeking the help of a legal professional can be beneficial in reviewing your claim and investigating actions that will help you win your fight.

When you file your claim against Janssen Pharmaceuticals, your lawyer may ask you some or all of the questions below. When speaking to your lawyer, it is important to answer the questions with as much detail as possible to strengthen your case.

1. What vision side effects have you experienced from taking the drug?
2. When did you first notice your vision impairments?
3. How have these impairments affected your daily life?
4. How long have you been taking Elmiron?
5. Is there a history of eye problems in your family?
6. What prognosis/treatment did your medical provider give you?

Most people who have developed eye issues from Elmiron have been taking the drug for several years. Your lawyer will need to know the history behind your taking of the drug, family background, prognosis, and how this drug has affected your daily life to help build a solid case.

The first trial for lawsuits filed against Janssen Pharmaceuticals is scheduled to go to trial in 2023. As of right now, there have been no verdicts or settlements against the manufacturer. Professionals are expecting the number of cases filed against Janssen to increase before trials begin.

If you or someone you know has suffered from an unfortunate eye disease after taking Elmiron in South Florida, you could be eligible for a monetary award. The first step is reaching out to a lawyer who can review your case and give you guidance on what to do next.

Finding a lawyer in Florida you trust and one that has a solid background in accident injuries can be the deciding factor in what happens with your case.

The legal professionals at Frankl & Kominsky Injury Lawyers can help you file a lawsuit against Janssen so you can seek compensation. We believe that your health is something that should be taken seriously, and any harmful side effects that could have been prevented should be fought for.

We help represent residents in South Florida (by appointment) who have experienced unprecedented careless conduct of people, including drug manufacturers. Our experience has led us to know how the other side works in a lawsuit, which means we can anticipate the route to go when building your case to help you achieve the outcome you deserve.

We understand the grief and frustration you must be feeling from the health damages suffered due to taking Elmiron. We are on your side from the start and happy to help if you choose to move forward with your claim. To get started, call our office or fill out our form online to schedule a time for your free consultation to best gauge how we can help you.

If you feel that we are a good fit, we will then start helping you build your case against Janssen Pharmaceuticals and guide you through the legal process to help you seek the justice and compensation you may deserve.

Call us today at (561) 800-8000 to get started with your claim.