Heather Davis

Elmiron–Drug Approved to Treat Pain Associated with Interstitial Cystitis–Linked to Blindness

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In the 1990s, Janssen Pharmaceuticals introduced what was then considered a groundbreaking drug to treat the pain associated with interstitial cystitis, or IC. Unfortunately, those taking Elmiron didn’t know that in doing so, they were running the risk of going blind.

IC is a condition that affects millions of Americans each year and is more prevalent in women. IT’s a chronic condition that causes bladder pressure, pain, and pelvic pain. Hundreds of thousands of IC sufferers understandably jumped at the chance to control that pain and have been using Elmiron—also known as pentosan polysulfate sodium (PPS)—for decades, requiring dosage increases over the years.

Research presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmology in 2019 links that long-term use to ocular toxicity and irreversible vision damage.

They get put on these medications because it’s thought to have few side effects and few risks, and no one thinks about it again. And year after year, the number of pills they’re taking goes up and up.

Drs. Robin A. Vora, in an American Academy of Ophthalmology news release.

Elmiron causes pigmentary maculopathy, a condition that, according to the scientist researching it, is unique to Elmiron users. If you’re lucky enough to catch it in its early stages, the maculopathy damage may stop if you stop taking Elmiron. But, unfortunately, late stage maculopathy can lead to permanent vision loss. And at least one patient’s eye damage continued for years after stopping Elmiron.

These are the most common symptoms patients with pigmentary maculopathy have reported:

  • Areas of vision loss in the field of vision, paracentral scotoma
  • Difficult time adjusting to dim lighting or the dark
  • Having a hard time reading
  • Problems seeing objects that are close
  • Vision dimming

Lawsuits have been filed against Janssen Pharmaceuticals for failing to properly warn the public about the risk of pigmentary maculopathy and other vision problems. The plaintiffs in these lawsuits have alleged injuries including:

  • Blurred vision
  • Degenerative maculopathy
  • Halo vision
  • Macular retinopathy
  • Macular/pattern dystrophy
  • Maculopathy
  • Metamorphopsia
  • Pigmentary maculopathy
  • Reduced night vision
  • Retinal pigment epithelium atrophy
  • Retinopathy
  • Scotoma
  • Unilateral or bilateral blindness
  • Vision impairment
  • Vision loss

If you’ve taken Elmiron, you should seek an eye examination immediately and consult with your urologist on alternative treatment options. If you have been diagnosed with pigmentary maculopathy or are suffering from any of the above conditions and have taken Elmiron, contact a lawyer to discuss your options.