Elmiron Lawsuits for Maculopathy, Eye Issues

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.

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?

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.

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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