Elmiron is a prescription medication taken to treat interstitial cystitis. It is the only FDA-approved prescription medication to treat this disorder, which is also known as painful bladder syndrome. However, various studies have been published that show that Elmiron can cause irreversible eye damage and those taking the medication. Specifically, studies say that this medication causes pigmentary maculopathy, a condition that seems to be specific to Elmiron users.
What is pigmentary maculopathy?
Any maculopathy is a pathological condition of the macula, an area at the center of a person’s retina that is associated with highly sensitive and accurate vision. There are various types of maculopathy that can affect a person, but pigmentary maculopathy seems to be specific to those who have taken Elmiron.
In a news release from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Dr. Robin A. Vora said that “It’s unfortunate. You have a patient with a chronic condition like interstitial cystitis, for which there is no cure and no effective treatment. 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.”
The most common visual symptoms reported in studies of those experience pigmentary maculopathy after taking Elmiron were difficulty reading and difficulty adapting to dim lighting. Other issues include areas of vision loss in the field of vision, problem seeing objects that are close and vision dimming.
Problems with Elmiron were first discovered by Dr. William A. Pearce and colleagues at the Emory Eye Center when they published a study of six adult patients who took pentosan polysulfate sodium (Elmiron). Researchers at Kaiser Permanente soon published a follow-up study of140 patients who had taken approximately 5,000 pentosan polysulfate sodium pills over the course of 15 years. Of those, 91 agreed to be examined, and 22 of those patients had signs of toxicity and eye damage. Further studies have found similar results.
Colson Hicks Eidson is taking Elmiron cases
If you or somebody you care about has taken the prescription medication Elmiron and have subsequently sustained serious eye damage, you may need to speak to an attorney as soon as possible. The nationally recognized firm Colson Hicks Eidson has already taken steps on behalf of plaintiffs in these cases, and we are here for other victims who may just now be realizing this medication has caused their eye damage. We have the resources to thoroughly investigate your case and secure compensation on your behalf.
Colson Hicks Eidson has filed a lawsuit on behalf of a plaintiff who sustained severe eye damage after taking Elmiron. Our team is familiar with the scientific and medical findings of these cases and is well-prepared to help you. When you need an Elmiron attorney in Florida or anywhere in the United States, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or by calling us at 305-476-7442.
