Elmiron Drug: Do The Benefits Outweigh The Risks?

Imagine you have to make a choice between being able to urinate without pain or permanently damaging your vision. It’s one patient who was prescribed Elmiron and was forced to make many of them without their knowledge.

These people have an uncomfortable and embarrassing condition known as Interstitial Cystitis or IC. IC is characterised by mild to severe pain in the bladder, sometimes encompassing surrounding regions and frequent urination. The symptoms are disruptive enough to curtail the patient’s quality of life. Some people with IC have been known to go to the bathroom between 40 and 60 times a day. Their social lives, sexual relationships and sleep are affected and this is something that they’ll likely experience for the rest of their lives. There is no cure for IC.

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Elmiron is one of the drugs used to treat this condition but it comes with a serious side effect. Long term use could potentially result in a condition known as Maculopathy. This causes damage to the eye’s retina. The retina translates the images we see. Damage to it can result in partial or total vision loss. As a result, several Elmiron disputes have been launched at the courts. These lawsuits maintain that Janssen, Elmiron’s manufacturer, was aware of the risk to patients’ vision and withheld this information.

There are at least 7 studies that link Elmiron to eye damage. Unlike other medications that have been recalled when links to serious disease have been found, Elmiron remains on the shelves.

People with IC who have suffered Elmiron related vision loss have the option of filing suit against its manufacturers once they can prove the connection. At Drug Guardians, we can help you establish this causal link and help you to be justly compensated. 

We have also put together the lists below outlining the pros and cons of continuing Elmiron use, for those who have not experienced retina damage.

Benefits of Elmiron

  • Mitigation of IC symptoms

  • Patients can have life returned to a semblance of normality. They will be able to sleep and take part in social activities 

  • Elmiron is one of a few drugs designed to treat this condition

Drawbacks of Elmiron

  • Elmiron can affect vision with long term use, possibly leading to partial or total vision loss. A doctor should monitor your progress on the drug regularly to see if your vision is being affected.

  • Elmiron is considered a weak blood thinner and persons taking it risk bleeding at the nose and gums.

  • Other side effects patients taking Elmiron were likely to experience include:

  • bruising

  • dizziness

  • nausea

  • diarrhea

  • hair loss (alopecia)

  • trouble sleeping

  • unexpected weight gain

  • skin rashes

  • bloody stool

  • headaches

  • gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)

  • abnormal liver function

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  • Elmiron is expensive

What should I do?

If after reviewing this list, you and your doctor decide to stop taking Elmiron, there are some alternatives the both of you can look into. This study suggests that rather than focusing on medication, a holistic approach should be taken when treating IC. This is because recent research is hinting at the systemic origins of the disease. Treatments should therefore include behaviour change along with oral medication and/or natural remedies.

If you or a loved one have been affected by vision loss because of Elmiron, speak with us at Drug Guardians to see if you meet the criteria to file suit against its manufacturer. You may be entitled to compensation if you:

  • Used Elmirond for 1-2 years before experiencing vision problems

  • Have experienced the following:

  • Unique pigmentary maculopathy (macular degeneration)

  • Paracentral scotoma

  • Impaired or blurred vision

  • Retinal atrophy

  • Ocular toxicity

  • Macular dystrophy

  • Night blindness

  • Bilateral or unilateral blindness

  • Permanent vision loss

It is expected that claims against Elmiron’s manufacturer, Janssen, will increase in 2021. Lawsuits are only at the beginning stages and there have been no trials or settlements yet. However, we are working with others across the country to file class action suits. and are experienced at this type of litigation. 

Before you hesitate about taking action, think of the loss of income and quality of life damage to your vision that represents you or your loved one. Drug Guardians may not be able to restore the peace of mind you had before your injury, but we can take you through the steps of filing your claim, gathering your evidence and preparing your case to receive compensation.