Elmiron Lawyers

Note: This content is provided for informational purposes only. Douglas & London is no longer accepting cases related to Elmiron-related injuries.

Blind man with stick and guide dog walking on crosswalk

Douglas & London previously investigated claims of individuals who developed eye damage after taking prescription drug Elmiron, which is used to treat bladder pain caused by interstitial cystitis (IC). The manufacturer of Elmiron, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, did not add information about the risk of eye disease to the drug’s warning label until June 2020. Patients who took the drug before that time had no way of knowing about the serious risks they faced for permanent vision problems.

Signs of Elmiron Maculopathy

Symptoms of macular degeneration, or eye disease, caused by Elmiron may include:

  • Blurry central vision
  • Dark spots in the center of vision
  • Difficulty reading or seeing close objects, especially in dim lighting
  • Halo vision with a hazy ring of light
  • Muted, less vibrant colors
  • Straight lines appearing curved or squiggly
  • Total blindness or night blindness

The effects of maculopathy are permanent, and continue even after patients stop using Elmiron.

Elmiron Lawsuit Background

Elmiron is the brand name of pentosan polysulfate sodium, the only FDA-approved drug used to treat interstitial cystitis, a chronic condition causing bladder pressure and pain. 

Research is now showing that use of Elmiron is linked with progressive eye disease. Ophthalmologists have diagnosed retinal pigmentary maculopathy, pattern dystrophy, and age-related macular degeneration in a number of Elmiron users.

The FDA has not issued a safety alert about Elmiron, but Janssen changed the warning label to include the risk of maculopathy in June 2020. Patients using the drug prior to this date had no idea that use of the product could result in irreversible damage to the eyes.

Plaintiffs who have filed Elmiron lawsuits allege that the drug’s manufacturer acted negligently in bringing a dangerous drug to the market and failing to warn doctors and patients about the risks for eye damage. They claim that the manufacturer had an obligation to carry out safety testing to detect these eye-related side effects and warn the public about them long before June 2020. These negligent actions on the part of the drug maker, according to the lawsuits, were responsible for the eye injuries the plaintiffs sustained.