Elmiron is a prescription drug manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceuticals (a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson). Doctors use it to treat chronic pain and discomfort from interstitial cystitis (IC), a chronic bladder condition. Interstitial cystitis affects an estimated 3 to 8 million women and 1 to 4 million men in the United States. This condition can bring lifelong challenges to sufferers, and while many treatment options exist, there is no cure.
Elmiron is currently the only Food and Drug Administration-approved medication used to treat IC symptoms. The administration has documented mild side effects in users such as stomach upset, hair loss, and headache. For decades, the drug was considered a safe treatment option for interstitial cystitis. However, researchers have discovered that the active ingredient in Elmiron, pentosan polysulfate sodium, is toxic to the retina. Clinical trials have begun to link the drug to the development of pigmentary maculopathy (also known as macular degeneration.) This condition causes serious vision damage and can result in permanent blindness over time.
In 2020, Janssen Pharmaceuticals added a warning to their product, alerting consumers of these potential risks. However, an estimated hundreds of thousands of patients have taken Elmiron since its introduction to the market. The lack of proper warning to Elmiron users of the dangerous long-term consequences that this drug can have on their vision has resulted in multiple lawsuits against the manufacturers.
In September 2022, Janssen faced more than 1,700 cases in federal courts. These Elmiron lawsuits were consolidated into multidistrict litigation overseen by Judge Brian Martinotti in the United States District Court of New Jersey.
Our law firm is currently representing individuals who developed serious eye problems, including maculopathy, after taking Elmiron. If you experienced vision loss or eye damage after taking Elmiron, our lawyers are eager to speak to you. Contact our experienced mass tort attorneys for a free consultation with no obligation.
What You Need to Know About Elmiron
Elmiron was developed by Teva Pharmaceuticals and approved by the FDA in 1996 to treat interstitial cystitis of the bladder. Its mechanism of action is not known. However, researchers theorize that it works by forming a protective lining in the bladder wall that prevents potassium leakage into the bladder muscle, alleviating discomfort.
Although initially classified as an orphan drug, meaning that its use was specific to the treatment of one fairly uncommon disease, doctors began to prescribe Elmiron to treat other conditions, such as osteoarthritis and certain metabolic disorders. Currently, no generic version of Elmiron exists.
Is Elmiron Safe to Take?
Despite its long history in IC treatment, much remains unknown about the drug's toxicology profile. Studies on mice have suggested that Elmiron may hurt the immune system and act as an immunodepressant. Clinical trials have also observed internal bleeding in cancer patients.
Arguably, Elmiron's most worrying side effect is its toxicity to the eye's retina, which can lead to long-term, irreversible vision injuries and even near-total loss of sight.
What Eye Problems Can Elmiron Cause?
Users of this pharmaceutical have reported blurry vision, changes in eyesight, and difficulty reading. One study found that one-quarter of patients with significant exposure to Elmiron showed signs of eye damage. Some have also experienced changes to the pigmentation in the retina, a condition known as maculopathy or macular degeneration.
Does Elmiron Cause Blindness?
Macular degeneration attacks the macula, or the back of the retina, a part of the eye that helps our eyes process detail and color. Sufferers of maculopathy may have difficulty recognizing words, faces, and even numbers on a clock face. They may also have difficulty adjusting to the dark or experience prolonged changes in light adjustment. Although the disease doesn't usually cause complete blindness, it can progress with such severity as to render a person legally blind. There is currently no cure for this condition. However, treatments may slow it down.
Macular degeneration is the most common cause of vision loss among adults in the United States over 60. The risk for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) increases sharply after 75. Many older adults diagnosed with macular degeneration may have attributed its onset to advancing years when in reality, Elmiron used to treat an underlying condition may have caused it.
If you or someone you love experienced vision loss or eye damage after taking Elmiron, seek out an experienced Elmiron lawsuit lawyer. A qualified dangerous drug attorney can help you determine your legal rights to compensation, gather medical records, and build a claim to help you recover your financial losses.
How Long Does It Take for Elmiron to Cause Blindness?
Reports indicate that symptoms may take over 14 years to appear but could begin as soon as three years after starting Elmiron treatments. Due to the permanence of eye damage and vision changes, consult your doctor as soon as possible to evaluate any changes in your sight. You should also seek out an experienced Elmiron lawsuit attorney who can help you compile evidence and medical records to support your claim.
Am I at Risk of Blindness if I Take Elmiron?
It is impossible to generalize about the risks to each individual who took or is currently taking Elmiron. The FDA has not yet issued a recall of the drug and recommends that anyone taking or about to begin taking Elmiron should consult an ophthalmologist for a retinal exam. You should continue to undergo regular retinal screenings while taking Elmiron to monitor for any adverse changes.
Is There an Elmiron Class Action Lawsuit?
No. Instead of a class action lawsuit, plaintiffs filed multidistrict litigation (MDL) against the makers of Elmiron. While an MDL and a class action lawsuit serve similar purposes, they are not quite the same. Both consolidate many individual lawsuits, making resolution easier and conversing court resources. However, a class action lawsuit typically involves plaintiffs that have suffered similar degrees of injury and they will split the compensation evenly.
An MDL expedites several claims through one district court. However, the damages go to each plaintiff according to their degree of injury. Multidistrict litigation also involves bellwether trials, which act as test cases to determine the probable outcome of further litigation.
Elmiron Lawsuit Settlement Amounts
The compensation for Elmiron lawsuits will vary depending on the case and the severity of losses. We anticipate that compensation for these claims will involve a structured settlement payout that accounts for these factors. Our lawyers estimate that the average settlement for an Elmiron eye injury claim will exceed $150,000. More severe injuries, such as complete loss of sight or legal blindness, may result in higher payouts exceeding $250,000.
Individuals seeking compensation may seek to recover damages for:
- Medical expenses, including current and future medications, doctors visits, hospitalization, surgery, and other healthcare needs
- Lost income or lost earning potential, including time spent hospitalized, inability to work, or loss of the ability to return to previous employment
- Pain and suffering, including loss of enjoyment, mental anguish, and reduced quality of life
Depending on the nature of the case, damages sometimes penalize a dangerous or defective product's manufacturer. These punitive damages discourage them from doing so in the future and to deter others from following suit.
Much remains to be seen regarding how the MDL against Janssen Pharmaceuticals will proceed. However, we expect the first bellwether trials to occur in January 2023.
Elmiron Manufacturers Face Liability
Elmiron's adverse outcomes have devastated many. Since doctors prescribe the drug to patients who already suffer from a chronic condition, the potential risks to inflict vision problems and blindness are no small matter.
Plaintiffs in the Elmiron multidistrict litigation argue that Janssen Pharmaceuticals should have known about the dangers of their product. Drug manufacturers have a responsibility to sell safe drugs that will not harm the public. Plaintiffs in this MDL will attempt to prove that Janssen Pharmaceuticals and Johnson & Johnson acted irresponsibly or that they concealed information that would have alerted others to the potential risks of Elmiron. If so, they can hold these corporations accountable for damages.
Our mass tort lawyers can take on any sized defendant and are willing to fight for clients' rights with every tool at our disposal. An experienced product liability attorney can determine who you should file a claim against and build a strategy around your case to maximize your settlement.
Who Can File an Elmiron Lawsuit?
The circumstances of your case will dictate the legal action you take in response to eye damage from Elmiron. However, in general, plaintiffs tend to meet similar qualifications.
You may file an Elmiron lawsuit if:
- You used Elmiron for a minimum of two years
- You began to experience vision problems after January 1, 2010
- You sought treatment or consultation from a healthcare professional for vision loss
- Doctors diagnosed you with macular degeneration, pigmentary maculopathy, or retinal maculopathy after taking Elmiron
- Doctors diagnosed your vision problems within a year after stopping Elmiron
If you think you or someone you love may qualify for compensation from an Elmiron lawsuit, contact our team of experienced drug injury attorneys today for more information. We offer a free consultation with no obligation and can meet with you virtually or in your hospital room if you cannot come to us. Additionally, we represent our clients on a contingency basis, meaning we don't get paid unless you do.
How Mass Tort Product Liability Attorneys Can Help You
We understand that product liability victims often find themselves sick, overwhelmed, and mentally anguished by their injuries. We aim to make the experience of taking legal action as seamless as possible. Our lawyers come prepared to see your case through from start to finish by providing you with advice, answers, and the legal expertise necessary to strengthen your claim for compensation.
Although each case may look different in terms of the required steps to achieve our mutual goals for resolution, we are always equipped to:
- Listen to your story and gather details about the case
- Investigate the circumstances and collect information
- Work with medical experts to determine the extent of your injury
- Negotiate with defense attorneys to work toward a settlement when applicable
- Litigate for you in court if necessary
Our legal team stands by our clients' rights to seek compensation for their injuries. We wish to see your case come to a resolution that offers you maximum compensation for your losses and suffering.
Contact Our Elmiron Lawsuit Lawyers
If you or a loved one experienced vision loss or eye damage after taking Elmiron to treat interstitial cystitis, we urge you to reach out to a medical professional who can evaluate your risks. We also highly recommend that you speak to our qualified dangerous drug attorneys. Our skilled team of mass tort lawyers can help you understand your legal options on a no-obligation basis. If you are a victim of eye damage from the prescription drug Elmiron, the time to act is now. Contact our attorneys today for a free consultation and case review, and find out what our legal team can do for you.