Learn About Elmiron® Side Effects

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What Is Elmiron®?

Elmiron®, or pentosan polysulfate sodium, is a prescription drug used to treat bladder pain caused by interstitial cystitis, or IC, a chronic condition that puts immense pressure on the bladder.

Manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Elmiron® was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1996 and is currently the only drug approved to treat bladder pain and discomfort associated with IC, for which there is no cure.

Thousands of people have used Elmiron® for long periods of time since it first entered the market. While most of the reported Elmiron® side effects are mild, recent studies show that the drug may be toxic to the retina and can lead to permanent vision damage.

Litigation Details

In light of recent studies linking Elmiron® to vision damage and an increased risk of eye disease, lawsuits are now being filed against the manufacturer arguing that users were never warned. Learn more about the pending litigation and whether you qualify for a lawsuit.

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Common Side Effects of Elmiron®

Clinical trials have found most side effects of Elmiron® to be mild. The most commonly reported side effect was hair loss, or alopecia, with about 97% of patients experiencing hair loss on one spot. In most cases, hair grew back after users stopped taking the drug.

The top 5 reported Elmiron® side effects include:

Alopecia
Diarrhea
Nausea
Headache
Pain

In addition to the most commonly reported Elmiron® side effects above, the drug’s medication insert also states that weight gain and edema can occur.

Woman with alopecia an Elmiron® side effect

Additional Rare Side Effects

When taking Elmiron®, it’s important to remember that the drug is a weak anticoagulant and essentially works like a blood thinner. Due to this, some rare side effects can occur, such as gum and rectal hemorrhaging and bruising.

Elmiron® users should tell their doctors about this medication before they have any kind of surgery.

Elmiron®’s Most Serious Side Effect: Eye Damage

While Elmiron®’s medication insert warns patients of the mild and rare side effects they could experience, no warnings are listed about the potential link to vision damage or increased risk of eye disease. However, recent studies have shown that the drug may be associated with serious eye problems.

Several researchers have suggested that long-term use of Elmiron® can lead to the development of maculopathy, a progressive eye disease affecting a part of the eye in the back of the retina called the macula. Maculopathy can lead to partial or total vision loss in both eyes.

People who have suffered maculopathy, retinopathy, blurred vision, or any form of vision impairment are now questioning whether Elmiron®’s manufacturer, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, knew or should have known about the risk of eye damage and failed to warn patients of this serious side effect.

man with eye damage an Elmiron® side effect

What Are Your Options If You’ve Suffered Eye Damage After Taking Elmiron®?

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a common condition affecting between 1 to 4 million men and 3 to 8 million women in the U.S., according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, and Elmiron® is currently the only drug on the market that is approved to treat the painful symptoms associated with this chronic condition.

Therefore, it is estimated that hundreds of thousands of Americans have taken Elmiron® long-term and have potentially been exposed to the increased risk of eye disease. If you have regularly taken Elmiron® and suffered maculopathy or any form of vision damage, you may have a lot of questions and concerns about what to do next.

Lawsuits are currently being filed across the country against Elmiron®’s manufacturer. The first thing to know is that you have legal rights and you could be entitled to compensation for your losses that have resulted from this dangerous drug.

If you have any questions about Elmiron®’s link to vision problems and your legal options, contact Goldwater Law Firm today by calling 800-210-9700 or filling out our online form. Together with our extensive network of Elmiron® lawyers, we’re helping people who have taken the drug and developed eye problems take legal action.