If you were prescribed the medication Elmiron and have suffered from damage to your eyesight, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your loss. Elmiron has shown indications that it may cause damage to the retinas. You may be able to file a lawsuit for your situation.
Elmiron is the brand name for pentosan, which is prescribed by doctors to treat interstitial cystitis. This condition has no cure and it is a painful bladder problem. Interstitial cystitis causes frequent urination with an increased urgency. It may go away on its own or last a lifetime.
Elmiron is the only medication the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved to treat this condition. Interstitial cystitis is a painful condition often characterized by pressure in the bladder with pain that gets worse until the person urinates. Treatment mainly controls the symptoms. What causes this condition isn’t known for certain, but it is suggested that the lining which protects the bladder has a defect. Toxic substances found in urine leak out to irritate the wall of the bladder causing the painful sensations.
Pentosan polysulfate sodium is the full name of the medication known as Elmiron. It is not known for sure how the medication works, but it likely restores the lining of the bladder wall. A person may need to take the medication for two to four months before they notice any improvement. It can take as long as six months before the person stops urinating as frequently.
It is rare to have an allergic reaction to Elmiron, but a person should seek medical attention immediately if one should occur. Signs of an allergic reaction include trouble breathing, extreme dizziness, a rash and swelling or itching.
The most common side effects from taking Elmiron include the following:
If these symptoms worsen, the patient is supposed to tell their doctor.
Other side effects are rarer, but they require medical help right away.
Studies have been conducted which indicate that the drug may cause damage to the retina. Research shows that the concern is with prolonged use of Elmiron, which is common because of the effects and incurability of interstitial cystitis. The information shows that people who take the drug for a longer period are at an increased risk for developing atypical maculopathy. Maculopathy is typically found in people who are older, which is also the case for interstitial cystitis, which is most often treated in people over 35.
With this condition, the macula is affected. This is the center part of the retina, and it is responsible for seeing straight ahead. It is the center part of a person’s field of vision. The macula allows the person to be able to see to read and write. It also helps them see colors. The oval shape in the center of the eye is the macula. It’s further divided into several parts, including the fovea, parafovea, perifovea, umbo, foveal avascular zone and foveola.
According to researchers, it appears that Elmiron may impact the macula, causing a progressive disease with loss of vision over time. A person who suffers from this condition will only see the sides of their field of vision. For example, if they are looking at a person’s face, they can see the ears and sides of the head, but they won’t be able to see the eyes and mouth. It can also distort the vision, which makes objects look smaller or farther away.
It’s not known yet if the disease stops progressing when the medication is stopped. However, the damage that has been done isn’t reversible. Symptoms of this condition include difficulty being able to see in low lighting, loss of vision and difficulty reading.
One small study showed changes in vision for patients who had been using Elmiron for long-term treatment. The standard dosage was between 200 and 400 mg daily for a median amount of time of 15.5 years.
The results of the study were published in the Journal of Ophthalmology in 2018. The study involved six women who had all been diagnosed with interstitial cystitis and treated with Elmiron. All six showed signs of pigmentary maculopathy. The women had trouble being able to read or see in darkness. Two of them had dimmer vision while two others had problems with near vision. One had partial loss of vision while the sixth person had distorted vision, which made straight lines look wavy.
The women in the study were much younger than what is normally associated with maculopathy. The youngest at the time of the study was 37 years of age. She had been diagnosed at 23 and first noticed signs of vision problems several years later.
More studies have been conducted since, including one in November of 2019, which suggests that the eye condition can continue even after the person stops taking Elmiron. Information from the studies suggests that toxicity builds up over time and isn’t easily released.
Several studies have been published that support these findings. There is no known way to reverse the damage done to vision once it happens.
If you have been taking Elmiron for the bladder condition and have noticed vision loss, you need to see an ophthalmologist right away. You can also talk to an attorney about your situation and find out if you have a case. The manufacturer of Elmiron should be held responsible for not warning patients of the risks of taking this medication for the long term. You may be entitled to compensation for your loss to cover medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering.
