Since it was approved by the FDA in 1996, thousands of interstitial cystitis (IC) patients have taken pentosan polysulfate sodium (Elmiron) to help relieve their bladder pain and discomfort. Unfortunately, for many of those on the drug for an extended period of time, this relief has come with a steep price. Ophthalmologists report that patients who have taken Elmiron regularly have experienced vision loss and have been diagnosed with maculopathy, a vision disorder that can lead to blindness.
If you or a family member has been diagnosed with maculopathy after prolonged use of Elmiron, you most likely have many questions and concerns about the drug, your prognosis, and your legal rights under Florida law. This blog post will seek to briefly address a few of the general questions you may have about the possibility and benefits of an Elmiron lawsuit. However, it is important to consult directly with an experienced Florida Elmiron vision loss attorney in order to obtain a reliable analysis of the facts of your specific case. Doing this without delay is the best way to protect your legal rights. A timely legal evaluation of your case is essential for many reasons, which include the fact that strict time limits apply to the pursuit of Elmiron lawsuits.
Have You Been Injured by Elmiron?
People who have taken Elmiron need to know that doctors and scientists have found evidence of a link between Elmiron and potentially permanent retinal damage. Medical studies have shown that potentially harmful drug toxicity accumulates over time. Some patients are fortunate in that damage to their vision might be mitigated if, even after a diagnosis of retinal dysfunction, they stop taking Elmiron promptly. On the other hand, research has shown that if the medication is taken for a prolonged period of time, and in one study seven years marked a turning point, Elmiron users had a significantly increased risk of permanent macular degeneration and loss of vision.
If you have taken Elmiron regularly for any period of time, you should be screened for retinal damage at least once per year. But if you have suffered from vision problems and have been diagnosed with maculopathy, after prioritizing your medical evaluations and care, you may also benefit from consulting with a knowledgeable Elmiron vision loss attorney to learn more about your legal rights.
Do You Have Reasons for Filing an Elmiron Vision Damage Lawsuit?
It doesn’t cost you anything to speak to a lawyer about a possible Elmiron vision damage lawsuit, and you’re not obligated to take legal action after consulting with an attorney. It is important, though, to understand your legal options. Among these is the potential right to hold the drug manufacturer – Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. – accountable for your injuries. Lawsuits have already been filed against Janssen alleging that it was negligent and should be held strictly or absolutely liable for manufacturing and distributing a defective and unreasonably dangerous medication. It has also been alleged that Janssen knew about the link between its drug and retinal injury for many years but utterly failed to warn IC patients or their physicians of this known danger.
More importantly, if you have been injured as a result of having taken Elmiron, you may have incurred medical expenses and suffered both physically and emotionally. With a lawsuit, you may be able to obtain substantial compensation for these damages, including physical suffering, emotional suffering, impaired quality of life, disability, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and all the elements of damage available under Florida law.
Do I Need a Florida Elmiron Vision Damage Attorney?
An experienced Florida pharmaceutical product liability attorney can help you understand your legal rights and your best course of action. If you have a viable case, your attorney can amass and marshal the evidence needed to file and effectively prosecute a lawsuit that maximizes your opportunity to obtain the compensation you deserve. It is essential to contact an attorney without delay so that critical evidence can be preserved. In addition, strict time limits apply to the pursuit of product liability claims in Florida.
If you decide that you want to protect your legal rights, please do not hesitate to contact the experienced product defect attorneys of Boyers Law Group for help. Our trial lawyers have successfully represented many defective pharmaceutical product victims and have the experience, skill and resources you need in order to obtain the life-changing compensation you deserve.
For a free consultation at your convenience, call us today at 800.545.9100 or submit the “Tell Us What Happened” form on our website.
Helpful Resources:
American Academy of Ophthalmology. (2019, October 12). More evidence linking common bladder medication to a vision-threatening eye condition: New study shows about a quarter of patients with significant exposure to the drug show signs of retinal damage. ScienceDaily.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/10/191012141218.htm
Interstitial Cystitis Association. (2015). Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium.
https://www.ichelp.org/diagnosis-treatment/treatments/pentosan-polysulfate-sodium/
Long-term use of pentosan polysulfate sodium associated with vision-threatening maculopathy. (2019, Oct. 12). Ocular Surgery News.
https://www.healio.com/news/ophthalmology/20191012/longterm-use-of-pentosan-polysulfate-sodium-associated-with-visionthreatening-maculopathy?utm_source=TrendMD&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Healio__TrendMD_1&origin=14da7e793eb699fc8a9ec0d6c608e131
