We regularly hear of newly discovered devastating side effects from pharmaceuticals that were on the market for decades, and this can lead injured patients to file product liability lawsuits against the pharmaceutical company. In 2020, one of the newest prescription drugs at the center of medical and legal drama is Elmiron. If you took this medication and suffered ophthalmological injuries, contact experienced Elmiron lawsuit lawyers right away.
What Is Elmiron?
Elmiron is the name for pentosan polysulfate sodium, which is a prescription medication that people often take when they have interstitial cystitis (IC). IC causes bladder pressure and pain, and Elmiron works to relieve these types of discomfort. Unlike other pain relievers, Elmiron does not decrease inflammation, but it protects the bladder walls damaged by IC from certain irritants that cause pain and inflammation. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the drug for sale by JanssenPharmaceuticals in 1996, and Elmiron remains the only drug on the market that relieves pain from IC. Up to 12 million adults in the United States might suffer from IC, which is a chronic condition with no cure, so many of these people regularly take Elmiron to manage their symptoms.
What Is the Connection Between Elmiron and Maculopathy?
For decades, Janssen Pharmaceuticals listed Elmiron side effects as hair loss, nausea, diarrhea, headaches, dizziness, and other relatively minor conditions. However, in recent years, medical researchers linked Elmiron to the development of maculopathy, which is a progressive eye disorder that can result in vision loss in both eyes. While maculopathy does not often result in complete blindness, it deteriorates the central vision, the loss of which can cause “legal blindness” of 20/200 vision or worse. There is no cure for maculopathy, though intensive treatment can slow progression. Medical professionals have linked maculopathy to drugs like hydroxychloroquine and corticosteroids in the past. In 2018, research studies started documenting incurable vision loss in patients who took Elmiron long-term. These patients experienced the following and more:
Areas of vision loss in the visual field (paracentral scotoma)
Dimming vision
Trouble adjusting to the dark or dim lighting
Difficulty seeing close objects
Challenges reading
Losing your vision can prevent you from working, reading, using electronics, and many other daily activities. This is an irreversible condition even with costly eye treatment.
Has the FDA Recalled Elmiron?
Even though researchers have strong support for their connection between Elmiron and maculopathy, the FDA has not yet issued a recall for the drug. This means that doctors are still prescribing Elmiron, and patients with IC are continuing to take the medication. In June 2020, the FDA announced the requirement for Janssen Pharmaceuticals to change the label of Elmiron to include pigmentary maculopathy as both a “Warning and Precaution” and a possible “Adverse Reaction.” Before this change, the label of Elmiron stated there were no warnings to patients at all. Some patients took the medication for years, which increases the risks of blindness.
What Does an Elmiron Lawsuit Accomplish?
When a drug manufacturer sells a product that causes serious health effects and fails to properly warn patients of these possible effects, the manufacturer should be fully liable for the losses of those patients. Currently, many people who took Elmiron and suffered from maculopathy are preparing and filing lawsuits against Janssen Pharmaceuticals for this reason. While vision problems can occur in patients with IC who took Elmiron for a short time, it is most common in people taking the drug for two years or longer. Some specific injuries cited in Elmiron lawsuits include:
By filing a lawsuit, a person who sustained injuries due to Elmiron can seek compensation from Janssen Pharmaceuticals for their extensive past and ongoing losses.
How Can an Elmiron Lawsuit Attorney Help?
If Elmiron injured you, you may seek compensation. As a victim, you should keep in mind that drug companies and their insurers have a financial incentive to deny liability whenever possible. When they do admit fault, they try to settle every case for as little as possible. For this reason, if you believe that you have suffered injuries because of Elmiron, it's in your best interest to retain an experienced defective drug attorney who knows how to take on drug manufacturers. Some of the ways that a lawyer can help you include:
Determining Whether You Have a Case
Not every person who took Elmiron is entitled to compensation. A lawyer can review the facts of your situation and determine whether you have a case to pursue.
Evaluating Your Losses
Every victim will have experienced different damages as a result of Elmiron's use. An attorney can help you identify and pursue all of your losses and ensure that any claim you file seeks adequate compensation. The damages that you can seek in an Elmiron claim will depend on the specific losses you incurred as a result of your eye injuries.
Matthew A. Dolman, Personal injury and Accident Attorney
Filing a Claim
Filing a legal claim is a complicated process that requires legal knowledge, attention to detail, and significant supporting documentation. When you retain an attorney, he or she will handle the paperwork associated with filing your claim on your behalf, maximizing the chances of a favorable resolution.
Negotiating a Settlement
There is a chance that the manufacturer of Elmiron will want to settle your case rather than go to court. If that happens, your lawyer will attempt to negotiate a settlement that compensates you for all of your Elmiron-related losses.
Taking Your Case to Trial
If you are unable to reach an adequate settlement agreement, your Elmiron lawsuit attorney may file a lawsuit and take your case to trial to obtain the compensation you deserve.
Consider Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA as Your Elmiron Lawsuit Attorneys
Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA has the experience and knowledge you will need to secure compensation for damages caused by Elmiron complications. Our attorneys are ready to speak to you about your case and provide options as to how to proceed with legal action. Filing a lawsuit over damages caused by Elmiron use should never be done on your own. This is just what the insurance company wants and they will do everything they can to take advantage of your lack of legal knowledge. Elmiron injuries are a serious matter so you owe it to yourself to give your case the best chance. Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA offers free consultations to those in need of compensation for complications caused by Elmiron. To contact our office either fill out a contact form online or call our office at (727) 451-6900. Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA 800 North Belcher Road Clearwater, FL 33765 (727) 451-6900
Matthew Dolman
Personal Injury Lawyer
This article was written and reviewed by Matthew Dolman. Matt has been a practicing civil trial, personal injury, products liability, and mass tort lawyer since 2004. He has successfully fought for more than 11,000 injured clients and acted as lead counsel in more than 1,000 lawsuits. Always on the cutting edge of personal injury law, Matt is actively engaged in complex legal matters, including Suboxone, AFFF, and Ozempic lawsuits. Matt is a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum for resolving individual cases in excess of $1 million and $2 million, respectively. He has also been selected by his colleagues as a Florida Superlawyer and as a member of Florida’s Legal Elite on multiple occasions. Further, Matt has been quoted in the media numerous times and is a sought-after speaker on a variety of legal issues and topics.
