Can Elmiron or Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium (PPS) Cause Blindness?
Elmiron linked to severe injuries
A recent Science Daily article reports that there are about one million patients in the United States who suffer from Interstitial Cystitis. Interstitial Cystitis is a chronic medical condition that caused an increase in bladder pressure resulting in pelvic pain and bladder pain. The pain varies from mildly discomforting to severe pain. This medical condition is included in the spectrum of diseases identified as “painful bladder syndrome.” Elmiron is the only drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that treats this Interstitial Cystitis. However, several research studies have linked severe vision problems with Elmiron, or Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium (PPS).
What is Elmiron (Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium)?
Elmiron, or Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium (PPS), is a prescription medication that treats bladder pressure problems that cause pain in the pelvic region. The drug creates a film along the bladder walls to safeguard against irritating substances in the urine.
The medication is used to suppress pelvic pain, bladder inflammation, and irritation. Unfortunately, there are no current forms of generic Elmiron available at pharmacies. The FDA and medical researchers have published warnings about the causal link between Elmiron and pigmentary maculopathy.
What Are the Risks and Side Effects Associated with Elmiron?
A research study conducted by the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) confirmed Elmiron’s association with vision loss risks. In the study, 66% of Elmiron patients endured vision issues when reading. Recent studies have revealed blindness and night blindness as issues among Elmiron patients.
According to the research study, Elmiron can change the retina’s structural pigment mechanism in some patients. Additional research studies observed that bladder pain patients who did not take Elmiron did not experience maculopathy or related vision issues.
Elmiron has been linked to other severe injuries such as:
- Maculopathy
- Scotoma
- Retinopathy
The manufacturer of Elmiron, Kaiser Permanente, has produced data that shows 25% of Elmiron users displayed clear signs of toxicity. Other studies that assessed patients who have been taking Elmiron for 15 years or long showed that regular Elmiron usage increased the amount of retina damage. Patients are warned not to stop their Elmiron medications if they are feeling negative symptoms but to contact their doctor.
How Does Elmiron Cause Maculopathy and Vision Loss?
At the moment, more research is needed to produce a conclusive answer as to why Elmiron causes vision difficulties and blindness. Patients taking Elmiron over an extended amount of time developed a rare type of pigmentary maculopathy. It is believed that Elmiron affects the cell layers that keep the retina nourished. Doctors and medical researchers have not determined how much Elmiron is safe or how much Elmiron leads to retinal damage. Patients who are taking Elmiron and are not experiencing toxicity symptoms should receive an annual retina scan to check for retina damage. In some cases, Elmiron patients have developed vision impairment, halo vision, complete vision loss, and bilateral or unilateral blindness.
CONTACT PARKER WAICHMAN LLP FOR A FREE CASE REVIEW
Were you or a loved one harmed by Elmiron?
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.
