There are no prescription or over-the-counter medications that do not come with side effects. If you see any medication commercial or read any prescription medication morning label, you will see a range of complications that could arise. Elmiron is no different.
Elmiron (pentosan polysulfate sodium) Is a mild blood thinner and also works as a bladder protectant. Some of the common side effects associated with Elmiron include:
- diarrhea
- hair loss
- nausea
- headache
- stomach upset or pain
- abdominal pain
- dizziness
- depressed mood
- itching or skin rash
While these side effects have been known and labeled for this pharmaceutical drug for a while, recent research indicates that Elmiron can cause serious complications with a person’s eyes, leading to the following:
- difficulty reading
- blindness
- eye pain
- difficulty adapting to dim lighting
- vision disturbances or distorted vision
- trouble seeing things up close
Dr. Nieraj Jain, a researcher at the Emory Eye Center at the Emory School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA, discovered that those taking Elmiron over longer periods of time could suffer from irreversible eye damage. This is a side effect that doctors and the pharmaceutical company have not been warning patients about since this drug was released to the market in the 1990s.
There have been no recalls for Elmiron, and eye damage is not currently listed as one of the possible side effects of taking this drug. Researchers in the United States and Canada recommend that those who take the pharmaceutical Elmiron talk to their doctors and schedule an eye appointment to test for any eye damage.
