Disclaimer: Note that the firm is no longer accepting cases for the anti-psychotic medication Abilify or Tylenol autism cases. Thank you.
Select Page

Elmiron is the Pharmaceutical Link to Progressive Eye Diseases

Pharmaceutical manufacturers are responsible for ensuring their products are safe and effective before making them available for public consumption. Under general product liability law, pharmaceutical companies must provide an accurate and adequate warning of any medication’s adverse effects. Failure to warn cases are a form of design defect that fall under products liability law when products are unreasonably dangerous, the product leaves the manufacturer or distributor, and causes injury to the victim.

 

Janssen Pharmaceuticals has manufactured and marketed the drug, Elmiron, for more than twenty years. It was approved for production in 1996 by the Food and Drug Administration to treat interstitial cystitis. Elmiron is the brand name for Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium. Interstitial cystitis is an incurable and chronically painful condition of the bladder and pelvis. As the only oral drug approved for the treatment of this syndrome, hundreds of thousands of patients have consumed Elmiron. Elmiron is also used as an anti-coagulant blood thinner and “off label” to treat osteoarthritis.

 

Research Has Exposed the Health Risks of Elmiron

 

In 2018, researchers at the Emory Eye Center in Atlanta, Georgia, studied patients who were experiencing progressive vision loss from 2015 to 2017. The study linked Elmiron to a pathological condition in the macula, causing an eye disease called retinal maculopathy. The function of the macula of the eye is visual acuity and light sensitivity. Damage to the macula causes permanent vision loss. In May 2019, the Emory researchers presented the results of an expanded study at the American Urological Associations’ Annual Meeting. This study concluded that structural changes in the retina occurred from Elmiron consumption. It was encouraged that patients discontinue the drug’s use. Studies by other researchers corroborate these findings.

 

A review of ophthalmology patients at Kaiser Permanente in Northern California found that about a quarter of their patients with significant exposure to Elmiron had signs of eye damage caused by toxicity. The amount of eye damage increased with a higher dosage of Elmiron. Given the alarming research being conducted, the American Academy of Ophthalmology reported in October 2019 that Elmiron appears to be a toxin that damages the retina. It affects the light-sensing tissue at the back of the eye that allows us to see. In addition to retinal maculopathy, researchers identified retinal pigmenting maculopathy, retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and scotoma as side effects associated with Elmiron’s usage. These irreversible, progressive ophthalmologic diseases lead to blindness.

 

Symptoms of Eye Damage Associated with Elmiron are:  

 

  • Macular degeneration
  • Blurred vision
  • Color fundus
  • Halo vision
  • Blindness
  • Difficulty adapting to changes in light
  • Dark spots in the center of vision
  • Straight lines appearing curved
  • Changes in eye color
  • Less vivid colors
  • Eye pain

 

The Michael Brady Lynch Firm is a Nationwide, Complex Litigation Law Firm

 

Our law firm has been committed to holding pharmaceutical companies accountable for negligent manufacturing and marketing for more than twenty years. We fight for the rights of those who suffer harm due to the negligence of others. As a nationwide pharmaceutical and medical device law firm, the Michael Brady Lynch Firm is widely regarded as one of the country’s most successful trial law firms. We have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and awards for our clients.

 

Janssen Pharmaceuticals were aware of the unreasonably dangerous side effects for patients prescribed Elmiron, yet marketed it to reap huge profits. After multiple clinical studies, publications, and many nationwide, complex product liability lawsuits, Janssen Pharmaceuticals acknowledged, on June 16, 2020, the significant side effects of Elmiron. They have since placed a warning label on this medication.

 

The current criteria for filing an Elmiron lawsuit requires:

  1. Elmiron patients must have used the prescription medication for at least two years.
  2. Vision changes and side effects need to begin while on Elmiron must take place within one year of stopping.

 

If you or a loved one are the victim of vision changes or blindness and have a history of taking Elmiron, you may be entitled to compensation. Damages can be awarded for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact The Michael Brady Lynch Firm in Winter Park, Florida, at 888-585-5970 for a free, initial consultation to discuss your options.  

Oxbryta Recall Prompts Lawsuits: What You Need to Know

Oxbryta Recall Prompts Lawsuits: What You Need to Know

Oxbryta was marketed as a revolutionary drug to help people suffering from sickle cell disease manage their most painful symptoms. Oxbryta was manufactured by Global Blood Therapeutics (which was later bought by Pfizer) and approved by the FDA in 2019 for children and adults 12 years old and older. It was approved for children four years old and up in 2021. Alarming results from post-launch trials showed that Oxbryta may increase the symptoms of sickle cell disease instead of decreasing them.

read more
Mass Tort Abuses in the Mormon Church: A Legal Perspective

Mass Tort Abuses in the Mormon Church: A Legal Perspective

In recent years, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), commonly known as the Mormon Church, has faced increasing legal scrutiny due to allegations of widespread abuse and institutional cover-ups. have come forward with claims of sexual, emotional, and physical abuse, many of which involve church leaders or institutions. These lawsuits have begun to take the form of mass tort claims, as multiple plaintiffs allege a systemic pattern of negligence and concealment within the organization.

read more
Understanding Copyright Law for OnlyFans Creators

Understanding Copyright Law for OnlyFans Creators

OnlyFans has become a booming platform for influencers and content creators, allowing them to monetize their work directly through subscriptions. However, with the rise of digital content creation comes the inevitable challenge of copyright infringement. Many OnlyFans creators find their exclusive content stolen and redistributed on unaffiliated websites without their permission. If you’re an OnlyFans influencer facing this issue, you may have legal recourse to protect your rights.

read more
Update on The New Maryland Child Sexual Abuse Law

Update on The New Maryland Child Sexual Abuse Law

Maryland recently made a landmark change to its legal landscape by eliminating the civil statute of limitations for child sexual abuse cases under the **Child Victims Act of 2023**. This law, upheld by the Maryland Supreme Court in February 2025, allows survivors to file lawsuits regardless of how much time has passed since the abuse occurred.

read more
PIP Insurance Coverage Florida: How it Works

PIP Insurance Coverage Florida: How it Works

Florida is one of 12 “no-fault” insurance states, requiring drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance on vehicles operated in the state. PIP insurance allows injured drivers to receive compensation for damages and medical expenses by utilizing their insurance coverage.

read more
An Update on PFAS Cases: New Contamination Sites in US

An Update on PFAS Cases: New Contamination Sites in US

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals,” have been a growing concern due to their persistence in the environment and potential health risks. Recent developments have highlighted new contamination sites and legal actions aimed at addressing these issues across the United States.

read more
Nursing Home Abuse: An Overview

Nursing Home Abuse: An Overview

Nursing home abuse involves the mistreatment, neglect, or exploitation of residents in long-term care facilities. This includes skilled nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other institutions responsible for the care of elderly or vulnerable adults. Under both federal and state laws, these facilities are required to provide residents with a safe, dignified, and compassionate environment.

read more
×
What Our Clients Are Saying