New York Elmiron Eye Damage Lawsuit Attorney
Elmiron is a popular drug that is used for the treatment of bladder infection in people with interstitial cystitis (IC). Elmiron has been around since the 1990s and was believed to be a safe drug. Recent studies, however, have found that Elmiron causes retinal damage to the eyes, called maculopathy which can ultimately result in blindness.
If you or a loved one has used the drug Elmiron and has been diagnosed with maculopathy or other eye conditions, you may be entitled to compensation from the drug manufacturer. Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. is currently accepting claims for eye injuries resulting from the use of this prescription medication. For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our New York Elmiron eye damage lawsuit attorneys, please call Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. at 1-646-798-1535.
What Is Elmiron?
Elmiron (pentosane polysulfate sodium) is a prescription medication that is used to treat bladder pain and discomfort associated with interstitial cystitis (IC). This drug has been prescribed and used since the 1990s by hundreds of thousands of people. IC causes unrelenting pain in the bladder and pelvic regions of the lower abdomen.
Approximately 1 million people, mostly women, in the U.S. suffer from this painful condition. Although other pharmacologic (NSAIDS, antihistamines, bladder installation therapy) and behavior approaches are available, Elmiron is the only FDA-approved medication to treat this painful and disabling condition.
However, according to an alarming study conducted in October 2019, Elmiron can cause retinal damage to the eyes. The retina is the thin layer of tissue with the important job of converting light into electric signals. Any damage to this layer can result in loss of vision, which may not be reversible.
The study, conducted by three ophthalmologists at Kaiser Permanente in Northern California, found that about one-quarter of patients with significant exposure to Elmiron showed definite signs of eye damage, and that this medication toxicity could masquerade as other known retinal conditions, such as age-related macular degeneration or pattern dystrophy.
Common Symptoms of Eye Injuries Linked to Elmiron
The potential risks associated with the prescription drug Elmiron were unknown until 2015, when doctors at Atlanta’s Emory Eye Center encountered an eye condition they hadn’t seen before in six women. This type of maculopathy didn’t seem to have a cause, but further investigation showed that all six women had been taking Elmiron for years.
Additional studies released in 2018 and 2019 also support the link between this eye disease, maculopathy, and Elmiron. However, it is still not medically clear how Elmiron causes this condition.
Common symptoms of the specific type of maculopathy linked to Elmiron include:
- A change in the color of the retina itself
- Dark spots in visions
- Straight lines turned curved or squiggly
- Muted, less vivid colors
- Trouble reading
- Blurred vision, including in the center of the field of view
- A hard time adjusting to dimmer lighting
The manufacturer of Elmiron still has not listed eye disease as a possible side effect. There is no telling how many people have already suffered a serious eye injury as a result of the use of Elmiron. What is certain is that hundreds of thousands of people are still using the prescription drug and putting themselves at risk without knowing of the potential risks and dangers of Elmiron.
Grounds for an Elmiron Lawsuit
When an individual is injured as a result of the wrongdoing or negligence of another party, they are entitled to compensation for their injuries. It is no different with victims who are injured as a result of the dangerous risks associated with drugs, especially if the manufacture failed to properly warn of the risks.
The primary claim in Elmiron lawsuits is that the manufacturer failed to warn consumers about the dangerous side effects of the drug. The packaging and warning label did not, and still do not, list maculopathy as a risk. As such, physicians prescribing the popular drug were unaware of these complications associate with the use of Elmiron. Had they known, the doctors may not have prescribed it and the many patients may have chosen not to take it.
Taking Legal Action: Filing Elmiron Lawsuits
Today, the company that manufactures Elmiron is coming under medical scrutiny. Separate lawsuits have been filed, but have been consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL). The Elmiron MDL is out of the District of New Jersey, called:
In re Elmiron (pentosane polysulfate sodium) Products Liability Litigation; MDL 2973
MDLs allow litigation to be streamlined by assigning one judge to make all the pretrial rulings. Only about four or five cases actually go to trial. The outcome of these bellwether trials is critical because it serves as the starting point for negotiations in future cases. Unlike class action lawsuits, MDL plaintiffs get separate settlements depending on their specific injuries and circumstances.
Take Legal Action
Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. is currently investigating legal claims involving victims who have suffered eye conditions due to the use of Elmiron.
If you or someone you care about has suffered loss or impairment of vision after taking the prescription drug Elmiron, you may be entitled to compensation. To protect your legal rights and get the full money damages you are entitled to, you need to immediately consult with an experienced New York Elmiron eye damage lawsuit attorney.
To learn more, contact the legal team at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. today at 1-646-798-1535. Our case managers will listen to your facts and help you understand your options.