Eye damage linked to Elmiron
WASHINGTON, DC – A medical news report posted on mednews365.com states that new medical research studies on eye damage show that Elmiron may cause vision problems in women with a history of long-term Elmiron use. Elmiron is typically prescribed as a medical therapy for urinary tract infections, osteoarthritis, and other medical conditions.
Several studies that are studying the possible causal link between Elmiron use and eye damage have been conducted, with additional investigations underway. The news report states that the most recent eye damage studies’ information shows a link between Elmiron and vision damage. The eye damage studies also discovered a correlation between the amount of eye damage and the amount of Elmiron taken.
Elmiron was initially approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat a chronic condition of the bladder called interstitial cystitis. Interstitial cystitis leads to increased pressure within the bladder and causes discomfort and pain.
The new research indicates that long-term use of Elmiron can lead to pigmentary maculopathy. Pigmentary maculopathy is a medical condition that affects the retina’s macula. The macula is the middle part of the eye, and it is responsible for protecting the retina from U.V. light and allows either more or less light to enter the eye. The macula enables a person to see details much better.
According to the Emory Eye Center, a report based on patients who have been taking Elmiron for approximately 15 years suffered changes to their macula. Ten patients in the report were diagnosed with interstitial cystitis and were prescribed Elmiron. These ten patients have symptoms that correspond with pigmentary maculopathy.
Kaiser Permanente conducted another study which showed that approximately 24% of patients prescribed Elmiron five years or longer had sustained some eye damage.
According to the research, the signs and symptoms associated with Elmiron eye damage include:
- Difficulty with reading;
- Difficulty adjusting to light changes;
- Blindness and Night-Blindness;
- Distorted vision; and
- Vision loss.
While the vision damage might be preventable, the eye damage caused by Elmorin is not treatable, states the news report. These eye conditions are the latest to be linked to Elmiron. The news report states that other medical conditions already linked to Elmiron include:
- Amblyopia;
- Retinal hemorrhage; and
- Optic neuritis.
The studies also discovered that even when the patient stops taking Elmiron, patients continue to have difficulty adapting to low-lighting environments. This eye condition mimics macular degeneration in later stages.
Patients who are experiencing these complications or symptoms after taking Elmiron must contact their doctor to discuss treatment alternatives. The news report states that patients should not stop taking their prescription medication without first speaking with their doctor to discuss their symptoms and treatment options. If a patient has taken Elmiron in the past and is experiencing vision quality changes, they should discuss this with their doctor.
Elmiron is the only FDA-approved treatment for Interstitial Cystitis, and the medication must be taken continually. This means thousands of patients have been taking Elmiron for years without knowing about the drug’s potential for vision damage. The news report states that even with Janssen Pharmaceuticals’ studies, Janssen Pharmaceuticals failed to warn the public about vision damage risks until regulatory agencies applied pressure. Janssen Pharmaceuticals changed its warning labels in Europe and Canada to include the new warnings but failed to update the Elmiron labels’ in the United States until June 2020.
CONTACT PARKER WAICHMAN LLP FOR A FREE CASE REVIEW
If you or a loved one was prescribed Elmiron and suffered vision-related side effects, you may be eligible to file an Elmiron lawsuit to recover monetary compensation. Parker Waichman LLP helps those who have been harmed by a dangerous medication receive full monetary compensation for their damages. Trust your case with our product liability lawyers. For your free case review, contact Parker Waichman by calling 1-800-YOUR-LAWYER (1-800-968-7529). Our Elmiron lawsuit attorneys will fight to recover the compensation your case deserves.
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