In 2020, Jannsenn Pharmaceuticals was forced to apply warning labels to Elmiron, a drug used to treat interstitial cystitis. Also known as pentosan polysulfate sodium, many people using Elmiron develop pigmentary maculopathy, an eye condition that leaves pigmented specks in the macula region of the eye. This causes considerable and permanent damage to people’s vision. You can read more about it here.
Currently, there are numerous lawsuits against the manufacturer. Federal claims have been combined into a class action suit. If you have taken Elmiron, it’s crucial that you find representation. It doesn’t matter whether or not you have developed an eye condition. It took a few years for many people to discover the negative impact that this medication caused.
What is Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium?
Pentosan polysulfate sodium, also known as PPS, is one of the most popular medications prescribed for people suffering from interstitial cystitis. This is a bladder condition that is chronic, often causing pain directly in the bladder or throughout the pelvic region where the bladder is located. People dealing with the condition often feel a persistent need to urinate and it is common for the amount of urine produced to be lower than what the person feels the need to express.
PPS was introduced as a prescriptive treatment in 1996. While it seemed to be effective, users began noticing degenerative eye conditions. Over the years, enough people that were taken PPS developed the same condition, leading to the mass lawsuits that are currently taking place throughout the U.S.
Have You Been Affected by Elmiron?
If you have ever taken PPS, it’s important for you to understand how it could affect your health, particularly your vision. As recently as 2019, reports have shown that nearly a quarter of patients that frequently used Elmiron experienced eye-related side effects from the drug. Some of the affected patients had been taking Elmiron for 15 years.
So, if you have been taking it to treat bladder issues, it’s very possible long-term side effects haven’t shown up yet. However, there are some conditions that would make you eligible to file a claim. These include:
- Having taken Elmiron for at least two years.
- Endured any disruptions to vision while taking the drug.
- Sought medical advice for impaired vision or eye-related conditions.
- Valid diagnosis by a physician.
If you meet the criteria, it may be in your best interest to get in touch with an attorney as soon as possible. If you have ever taken Elmiron and do not know whether or not you qualify, you may still want to consult with an attorney. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Interstitial cystitis has no cure, but incurring a degenerative eye condition can add a massive load of medical issues to an already tough situation.
Exercise Your Rights
Macular degeneration and other eye conditions related to taking Elmiron will only get worse over time. Even if you haven’t developed an Elmiron-related side effect, you shouldn’t wait for it to happen either. Medical treatments for eye-related diseases produced by the drug can be expensive. Get in touch with a lawyer that can represent your interests and help protect your health.
