Elmiron Lawsuits for Maculopathy, Eye Issues
Last Updated on August 8, 2023
Investigation Complete
Attorneys working with ClassAction.org have finished their investigation into this matter. Check back for any potential updates. You can also sign up for our free newsletter for the latest in class action news and settlements.
If you still have questions about your rights, contact an attorney in your area as there is a time limit for filing all lawsuits. The information on this page was posted when the investigation began and is now for reference only.
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At A Glance
- This Alert Affects:
- Anyone who took Elmiron for interstitial cystitis and was diagnosed with maculopathy, a vision disorder that can lead to blindness.
- What’s Going On?
- The maker of Elmiron has been accused of failing to warn patients of the serious eye issues that can be caused by use of its drug. Now, attorneys working with ClassAction.org are looking into filing lawsuits against the company.
- What Can I Get from a Lawsuit?
- A lawsuit could help patients recover money for medical bills, loss of life’s enjoyment, mental and physical anguish and other losses associated with the diagnosis.
Attorneys working with ClassAction.org would like to speak to anyone who took the interstitial cystitis drug Elmiron and was diagnosed with maculopathy, a vision disorder that can lead to blindness.
Lawsuits are now being filed on behalf of Elmiron patients who suffered permanent retinal injuries and seek to recover money for physical and mental anguish, medical expenses and more. The suits allege that the drug is defective and unreasonably dangerous and was not adequately labeled to warn both patients and doctors of its risks.
What’s Involved in Filing a Lawsuit?
First, you will need to find and hire an attorney to handle your case. After you’ve discussed the details of your Elmiron usage, medical history and other key facts, he or she will then draft what’s known as a complaint.
A complaint is a legal document that outlines the facts specific to your situation, such as when you started taking Elmiron and the steps leading up to your diagnosis, and will be filed with the court to officially start your lawsuit. Your attorney may gather some of your medical records to support your claims as to when you started taking Elmiron and the conditions you’ve been diagnosed with.
Your complaint will also outline the claims you are making against the drug’s manufacturers.
In general, a case against the makers of Elmiron may allege that the drug:
- Was defectively designed – and could have been designed differently to mitigate its risks
- Presents a higher risk of eye problems than other feasible treatment alternatives
- Lacks proper warnings regarding retinal disease, including pigmentary maculopathy
- Is associated with known risks that the manufacturers failed to warn patients and the medical community about
Your lawsuit will also outline the financial harm you have suffered and the impact your diagnosis has had on your life.
Is This a Class Action Lawsuit?
No. Attorneys working with ClassAction.org – and many across the country – are handling Elmiron cases on an individual basis. This means that you will need to hire your own attorney and file your own lawsuit to make a claim for compensation against the makers of Elmiron. You can learn more about why lawsuits involving potentially dangerous drugs are not handled as class actions here.
What Can I Get from a Lawsuit?
If successful, your lawsuit could provide compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Loss of life’s enjoyment
- Physical suffering
- Mental anguish
How Much Does an Attorney Cost?
In general, attorneys handling lawsuits involving Elmiron – including those working with ClassAction.org – are paid on a “contingency fee” basis. This means they only get paid if they win your case and their payment will come as a percentage of your settlement award or jury verdict.
Elmiron Eye Problems: Maculopathy, Blindness, Retina Damage
The link between Elmiron and retinal damage first came to light in 2018 when a doctor at Emory Eye Center observed that six long-term users of the drug were reporting difficulty reading and other vision problems. Upon closer observation, the doctor found that all six patients had developed atypical changes in the macula, a small part of the retina responsible for providing clear and detailed vision.
Since then, multiple studies have associated Elmiron use with visual side effects, yet the manufacturer has allegedly taken no steps to change the drug’s labeling or otherwise alert doctors and patients to these risks.
For instance, in April 2019, an expanded Emory Eye Center study found a link between use of pentosan polysulfate sodium (PPS), the active ingredient in Elmiron, and a form of macular degeneration known as “pigmentary maculopathy.” Several months later, a study presented by the American Academy of Ophthalmology revealed that 25 percent of Elmiron users showed “definite signs of eye damage” and suggested that the drug could be toxic to the retina, causing damage that mimics age-related macular degeneration.
In line with these findings, a national multicenter study revealed that at seven years of use, Elmiron users had “significantly increased odds” of being diagnosed with macular disease, including pigmentary maculopathy and age-related macular degeneration.
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