Last year researchers stunned the medical community when they claimed that patients taking Elmiron, the brand name of the drug Pentosan, were at much higher risk of eye disease and vision loss. The nationally-recognized team at Colson Hicks Eidson began taking these cases for clients who have been using Elmiron. Now, ophthalmologists have conducted a review of patients in California and found similar results. We are standing by to help those who have been affected by this faulty and dangerous prescription drug.
We are learning more about Elmiron’s harmful effects
Thanks to Dr. Nieraj Jain, a researcher at the Emory Eye Center at the Emory School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA, we discovered a link between Elmiron and eye disease in 2018. Recently, researchers presented even more evidence that Elmiron can cause serious vision problems. They presented their findings at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology in San Francisco.
“This is certainly a mix of good and bad news for patients,” said Alam Hallan, the director of a pharmacy at Guelph General Hospital in Ontario, Canada. “New patients will be monitored more rigorously so this damage can be prevented, but for ones who have already suffered the side effects, this is going to be a difficult situation.
Researchers have found that during the last year, three Kaiser Permanente ophthalmologists in Northern California reviewed medical records of those taking Elmiron. They say that about 25% of those with significant exposure to Elmiron showed noticeable eye damage.
Researchers also noted that the toxicity of the medication could appear as other known retinal conditions, making it harder to pinpoint the eye problems on Elmiron.
How long has Elmiron been in the market?
Elmiron was first approved for use in humans by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1995 to treat interstitial cystitis, commonly referred to as “painful bladder syndrome.” Elmiron is the only drug approved to treat this condition, and hundreds of thousands of patients have taken the drug.
Researchers say that a typical drug trial lasts 2 to 5 years and that the retinal damage caused by Elmiron may or may not have been detectable when the drug was undergoing trials in the 1990s.
We can help you through this
If you or a loved one have been taking Elmiron (Pentosan) and think your vision has been affected, please contact the knowledgeable and experienced team at Colson Hicks Eidson today. We are taking this fight directly to Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the maker of Elmiron. We have vast experience handling nationwide product liability cases and are ready to secure the compensation you deserve. This can include:
- The cost of your current and future medical bills
- Recovery of income lost if you are unable to work
- Pain and suffering damages
- Mental anguish damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life damages
- Punitive damages against a company or manufacturer
When you need an Elmiron eye disease attorney, you can contact us by clicking here or by calling us at 305-476-7442.
