Elmiron Injury Lawyer Jersey City

Eye Injury – Blindness – Pigmentary Maculopathy – Macular Degeneration

An oral prescrition drug known as Elmiron®, (pentosan polysulfate sodium), is used to treat discomfort or bladder pain associated with interstitial cystitis, or IC, a chronic condition that causes bladder pain and pressure. The most common side effects of Elmiron® are hair loss, diarrhea and nausea

Elmiron® is utilized to treat a condition known as interstitial cystitis, better known as “painful bladder syndrome.” Tis drug is prescribed for osteoarthritis in humans as well as elderly dogs and horses. At one time, Elmiron® was used as an anticoagulant, similar to warfarin, but with a weaker effect.

In 2018, an article was published by the American Academy of Ophthalmology which mentioned six patients treated at Emory Eye Center between 2015 and 2017 who experienced pigmentary maculopathy of unclear cause following chronic exposure to Elmiron® for interstitial cystitis.

In 2019, an update was made by one of the authors, adding that ten patients at Emory Eye Center had been diagnosed with this same issue.

Maculopathy is a general term referring to any pathological condition that affects the macula, the central portion of the retina upon which visual acuity and sensitivity depends. Types of maculopathy include:

• Age-Related Macular Degeneration: a degenerative condition that develops over time, resulting in gradual sight loss, starting in the central field of vision.
• Cellophane Maculopathy: also known as “macular pucker.” This results from the formation of a thin, transparent layer of scar tissue that pulls on the light-receptive nerve cells of the macula, causing visual distortion.
• Malattia Leventinese: also known as “Doyne Honeycomb Retinal Dystrophy” or DHRD. This condition is a congenital (inherited) form of macular degeneration which begins with small, pale spots in the macula that eventually grows into a honeycomb pattern.

The form of macular degeneration that has been linked with Elmiron® is identified as “pigmentary maculopathy of unknown etiology”. It is a macular injury with no known cause. Presentation of the condition differs slightly from one patient to another, but symptoms include any or all of the following:

• parafoveal pigmented deposits: capillaries and small blood vessels around the macula become abnormal, resulting in vision loss.
• vitelliform deposits: round, yellowish lesions that form underneath the macula (also known as adult pattern macular dystrophy).
• retinal pigment epithelium atrophy: a common symptom of age-related macular degeneration.

Patients may also present with hyperpigmented, or darkened spots, on the retina during an eye examination.

Elmiron® product labeling does not include any language describing pigmentary maculopathy or any other form of maculopathy. The only references to any form of ocular or vision-related disorders are located within the Adverse Reactions section, referring to nystagmus, conjunctivitis, optic neuritis, amblyopia, and retinal hemorrhage observed in premarket clinical trials. The labeling includes no relevant warnings and identifies no relevant adverse events observed in the post-marketing setting.

Elmiron® Lawsuits

If you took Elmiron® and were diagnosed with pigmentary maculopathy or other side effects related to the eye, you should consider a no-cost consultation with Bagolie Friedman Injury Lawyers to discuss your case and filing an Elmiron® lawsuit against the manufacturer.

What is Elmiron® used for?

Elmiron® (pentosan polysulfate sodium) is a medication used to treat bladder pain and discomfort associated with interstitial cystitis, known as “painful bladder syndrome.” It has been used to treat osteoarthritis in humans, dogs, and horses.

Can Elmiron® cause blindness or other eye problems?

Yes. Elmiron® has been linked to some very severe eye problems that can cause vision impairment, eye damage, retina problems, macular degeneration, eye disease, ocular side effects, maculopathy, and even blindness.

What do doctors recommend if you are experiencing a potential eye side effect?

According to the INTERSTITIAL CYSTITIS NETWORK, “they urge patients who have used or are using Elmiron® to be screened by ophthalmologists if they are experiencing any unusual eye symptoms (difficulty reading, vision loss, difficulty seeing in lower lights) and to cease Elmiron® therapy if eye disease is present.”

Tips if you suspect Elmiron® has caused eye problems:

First off, Don’t Panic! Print a copy of the articles hyperlinked throughout this page. They are also included at the bottom under “References”. Take them to your Urologist and Eye doctor.

Seek An Eye Examination – If you have taken Elmiron® and feel that you have some eye issues, we believe that you should seek a full eye examination.

Talk With Your Doctor About Alternatives To Elmiron® – The Emory Eye Center researchers encourage the cessation of Elmiron® if eye disease is noted. Other bladder coating therapies are available, such as Heparin/Lidocaine instillations as well as over-the-counter supplements CystoProtek, Cysto Renew and/or Desert Harvest Aloe. Please discuss the pros and cons with your urologist.

Spread The Word – We encourage you to share this article with people you know that take Elmiron®. Share it on Facebook, Twitter or other online communities and message boards. Here is a direct link to this article:

Is there an Elmiron® Safety Warning?”

None of the products labeling describes symptoms or side effects related to pigmentary maculopathy, or any other kind of eye damage, issues, or problems. It only references vision disorders such as conjunctivitis, optic neuritis, retinal hemorrhage. Yet, pigmentary maculopathy has been reported by a number of people after taking Elmiron®. So if you have developed maculopathy after taking Elmiron®, you may qualify for the Elmiron® lawsuit.

Do You Have an Elmiron® Lawsuit?

Contact Bagolie Friedman Injury Lawyers Today.

Have you had any of the above side effects after taking Elmiron®?

Have you been diagnosed with pigmentary maculopathy or do you suspect that Elmiron® has caused eye damage or some other sort of eye problems? If so, you should contact Bagolie Friedman Injury Lawyers as we are handling Elmiron® lawsuits. You may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries.

Financial Compensation Possible for You (or A Loved One) Was Affected…

The legal staff at Bagolie Friedman Injury Lawyers are experienced an know what needs to be done right now to represent those who may have suffered vision complications or eye disease due to Elmiron®® use.

We are currently accepting Elmiron® injury cases nationally from all 50 states as well as internationally.