Elmiron lawsuits filed across the U.S. by patients with eye damage
Several studies published in recent years have linked the interstitial cystitis drug Elmiron (pentosan polysulfate sodium) to an increased risk of eye damage, including loss of vision, retinal toxicity, pigmentary maculopathy, and even blindness.
In the wake of these studies, several Elmiron users who developed vision problems after using the drug have filed lawsuits against its manufacturers, Janssen Pharmaceuticals and Johnson & Johnson.
Elmiron Lawsuits Filed in Early 2020
In May 2020, a New York woman named Becky Worden filed an Elmiron lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. Worden began using Elmiron in 2003 after she was diagnosed with interstitial cystitis by her doctor, and continued using the drug until 2020.
Worden eventually began to experience progressive vision loss, including blurred vision and cloudy vision. She went to her eye doctor, who diagnosed her with maculopathy. In her lawsuit, Worden says that she was never warned that she could be at risk of developing vision problems as a result of using Elmiron.
The following month, another Elmiron lawsuit was filed by a Kansas woman in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The plaintiff in this case, Megan Mott, began taking Elmiron in 2005 to treat painful bladder syndrome.
In 2020, Mott began to experience vision problems, and was diagnosed with maculopathy. Mott alleges in her lawsuit that she was never warned about the risk of side effects associated with Elmiron; had she known about the risk of eye damage she faced from using this medication, Mott says that she would have never started taking the drug.
More Elmiron Lawsuits Filed in Late 2020
In August 2020, two more lawsuits were filed by patients with interstitial cystitis who developed eye damage after using Elmiron for several years.
The first of these lawsuits was filed in the Middle District of North Carolina by Tomme Echerd, a resident of the state. Echerd was diagnosed with interstitial cystitis by her doctor in 1998 or 1999. She began taking Elmiron to treat the condition shortly thereafter, and continued to use the medication for more than 20 years.
In 2019, Echerd began to experience problems with her eyesight, including night vision problems and vision loss. After visiting her doctor, Echerd was diagnosed with pentosan polysulfate maculopathy, a condition that she alleges was caused by her use of Elmiron.
Echerd says that at the time she was diagnosed with maculopathy, she had no idea that her eye condition might be linked to Elmiron. It was only after several studies were published linking Elmiron to an increased risk of eye damage that Echerd realized her eye problems may have been caused by the drug.
Another lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson and Janssen was also filed that month in the District of New Jersey by a California woman. The plaintiff in the case, Shirley Ruth Levy, was prescribed Elmiron between 2013 and 2017 to treat bladder pain caused by interstitial cystitis.
Although Levy used the drug for a shorter time period than some other patients who filed lawsuits over the side effects of Elmiron, she experienced significant eye damage after taking this drug. After she began to experience vision problems, Levy visited her doctor and was diagnosed with blurred and distorted vision, damage to her retina, blurred vision, toxic maculopathy, and other vision problems. She alleges that her vision problems were caused by years of taking Elmiron to treat her interstitial cystitis symptoms.
Free Legal Consultation for Elmiron Users With Eye Damage
If you or a loved one were treated with Elmiron and have been diagnosed with retinal toxicity, pigmentary maculopathy, or other vision problems, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit and receive compensation for your symptoms. The first step in taking legal action is to schedule a consultation with an experienced pharmaceutical liability attorney, who can explain your legal rights and guide you through the first steps in filing a case.
For more information about filing an Elmiron lawsuit and to schedule your free legal consultation with an attorney, contact the law firm of Hissey, Mulderig & Friend by calling toll-free at 1-866-806-8117. You can also reach us by filling out the free case evaluation form located on the right side of this page. After receiving your submission, one of our staff members will contact you to obtain any additional information we need and schedule your free consultation with an attorney.