Imagine going to the doctor for unbearable pain, leaving with a medication that is supposed to help, and then losing your eyesight due to that medication. When you go to see a doctor for care, you never expect to undergo a treatment that could make things worse. Unfortunately, the prescription drug used to treat painful bladder syndrome, Elmiron, is now known to cause permanent eye damage. At Colson Hicks Eidson, our award-winning firm is taking patient cases in Florida and throughout the United States.
How did the Elmiron journey begin?
Interstitial cystitis is incredibly painful for patients. There is a range of symptoms that those suffering from this condition can experience. Also known as painful bladder syndrome, interstitial cystitis patients commonly suffer from the following:
- Extreme and painful bladder pressure that gets worse as the bladder fills
- Pain in the lower stomach, pelvis, urethra, and lower back
- For women, pain in the vagina, vulva, or area behind the vagina
- For men, pain in the penis, testicles, scrotum, or area behind the scrotum
- An urgency to urinate even right after going
- The needs to urinate more often than normal
Those who suffer from interstitial cystitis describe pain ranging from a dull ache to piercing pain. It is no wonder those who suffer from this condition or willing to take a prescription drug that promises to alleviate these symptoms.
The only FDA-approved prescription medication for interstitial cystitis is sodium pentosan polysulfate (PPS), sold as the brand name Elmiron. Made by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, those who take Elmiron have found relief from painful bladder syndrome.
What they did not know was that long-term use of this prescription drug would be linked to permanent eye damage. A flurry of research is emerging in the United States and Canada that many Elmiron patients with significant exposure to Elmiron showed noticeable eye damage.
Patients have gone from painful bladder syndrome to possible permanent eye damage, a journey they never expected. This is something they were never warned about.
To make matters worse, Elmiron has not yet been recalled by the FDA. The federal regulatory agency has not even mentioned any issues concerning this prescription drug, and across the Atlantic in the United Kingdom, the National Health Service is expanding its use of the drug.
We are going to get to work for you
If you or a loved one have been taking the prescription drug Elmiron and have suffered eye damage or any other adverse effects, seek legal assistance immediately. At Colson Hicks Eidson, our nationally-recognized firm will work to investigate your case in order to secure the compensation you deserve. This can include:
- Coverage of any medical bills related to the defective drug
- Recovery of income lost if you are unable to work
- Mental anguish damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life damages
- Punitive damages against the company or manufacturer
When you need an Elmiron attorney throughout Florida or the United States, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or by calling us at 305-476-7442.
