Elmiron is a prescription medication manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceuticals. This medication is used to treat interstitial cystitis, which is a chronic bladder condition. Unfortunately, there are significant side effects related to the use of Elmiron, which is the brand name of the medication Pentosan. There have been known instances of Elmiron causing an eye disease called maculopathy. If you or a loved one have taken Elmiron and been diagnosed with this eye disease or suspect you may have complications due to the medication, reach out to an attorney as soon as possible. At Bighorn Law, our experienced team is ready to listen to your story and help you secure the compensation you need.
Why Choose Bighorn Law for Help?
- At Bighorn Law, our team has extensive experience handling complex injury and class action lawsuits in Nevada and throughout the US.
- If we take a hands-on approach to every case that we handle, which means you will always have access to your attorney to ask questions or concerns, and you will never be left out of the loop.
- We handle Elmiron claims on a contingency fee basis, which means we take no legal fees until after we successfully recover compensation for your losses. If we do not win, you pay nothing.
What is Pentosan?
Sodium pentosan polysulfate (PPS) is the medication sold under the brand name Elmiron. Pentosan is used to treat interstitial cystitis, which is a type of severe bladder pain that afflicts many individuals throughout the US. Elmiron was first approved for use as a prescription in 1996 and has been in use ever since.
Eye Disease Caused by Elmiron (Pentosan)
In 2018, a researcher at the Emory School of Medicine at the Emory Eye Center in Atlanta first alerted the public that Elmiron has been linked to maculopathy, which is a type of retinal injury. Maculopathy is a type of pathological condition that affects the macula, which is the area in the retina associated with sensitive and accurate vision.
Research found that every patient in their initial study showed signs of retinal eye disease. The youngest of these patients was 23. Generally, patients who sustained eye disease caused by Pentosan take the medication daily and usually begin showing visual symptoms after a few years of taking the medication.
Symptoms of Elmiron Eye Disease
The general consensus amongst researchers is that retinal cells accumulate Pentosan over time, leading to the macular degeneration. When researchers presented their findings to the American Urology Annual Meeting in 2019, they stated that the most common symptoms associated with Elmiron eye damage include difficulty reading and difficulty adapting to dimmer lighting. Some other common symptoms associated with those affected by macular degeneration caused by Elmiron include the following:
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Blurred vision
- Distorted vision
- Eye pain
- Vision loss
- Difficulty reading
- Muted colors
- Eye color changes
- Straight lines appear curvy
- Dark spots in your vision
- Blind spots in your vision
Do You Qualify for an Elmiron Lawsuit?
Individuals may qualify for a lawsuit against the makers of Elmiron if they have experienced complications with their vision as a result of long-term use of the medication. In general, most plaintiffs in an Elmiron case have:
- Used the medication for at least two years
- Experienced issues with their vision, including distorted vision, blurred vision, difficulty adjusting to dim lighting, difficulty reading, or eye pain
- Sought medical treatment for vision issues or were diagnosed with various types of maculopathy or macular degeneration
If you or somebody you love meets these conditions, or if you have any questions about Elmiron and your particular eye difficulties, we encourage you to reach out to a skilled attorney today. A Nevada Elmiron attorney can examine your case, investigate your particular medical issues, and help you recover compensation through a lawsuit against Janssen Pharmaceuticals.
Compensation for Those Harmed by Elmiron
Individuals who have sustained verifiable damage caused by their prolonged exposure to sodium pentosan polysulfate (Elmiron) may be able to recover a range of compensation if their claim is successful. The trial attorneys at Bighorn Law work diligently to recover both economic and non-economic damages on behalf of clients through these lawsuits.
Economic damages associated with Elmiron eye disease include calculable expenses such as medical bills, medical devices, out-of-pocket expenses, as well as lost wages if a person is unable to work as a result of their vision loss.
Non-economic damages associated with these claims include various types of pain and suffering losses a person endures as a result of their vision problems. This can include physical pain and suffering caused by the eye disease as well as compensation for emotional and psychological trauma as well as loss of quality of life.
There is no set amount of compensation paid to Elmiron eye damage victims in Nevada. Rather, various factors related to each particular claim could influence the settlement amount.
Why You Need an Elmiron Lawyer in Nevada
Any type of class action claim involving a medication is incredibly challenging. These types of lawsuits sometimes cross the boundaries between product liability claims and medical malpractice claims, but the reality is that the pharmaceutical company should be held responsible for their actions. A skilled attorney can fully investigate every aspect of the claim and take over all communication with other parties on your behalf. A lawyer will negotiate with the insurance carriers and try to resolve your claim with a fair amount of compensation for your losses.
In the event the insurance carriers, legal teams, or pharmaceutical company fails to offer a fair settlement, your attorney will fully prepare the claim for trial.
Contact a Nevada Elmiron Eye Disease Attorney Today
If you or somebody you care about has experienced eye or vision complications after taking Elmiron to treat interstitial cystitis, we encourage you to reach out to a skilled attorney as soon as possible. The eye disease caused by Pentosan can lead to significant lifelong challenges, and we want to help. The attorneys at Bighorn Law want to step in and help you recover compensation from Janssen Pharmaceuticals. When you need a Nevada Elmiron eye disease attorney, reach out to us for a free consultation of your claim by filling out our contact form or calling us as soon as possible.