Janssen Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of Elmiron, is facing civil action after the prescription drug was linked to serious injuries and illnesses in patients. If you became seriously ill or suffered other side effects after taking Elmiron as prescribed, you may have the right to seek and recover financial compensation.
Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Elmiron for use, Janssen Pharmaceuticals’ failure to warn users of its side effects leaves it open to liability. If you have suffered Elmiron side effects, you can review the legal options that might be available to you when you reach out to a Texas defective drug lawyer at Loncar Lyon Jenkins for help. You can start with a free consultation today.
Which Patients Use Elmiron?
Elmiron is a prescription medication used to treat patients with interstitial cystitis (IC). Also commonly referred to as painful bladder syndrome, IC is chronic and can cause debilitating pain and pressure in the bladder and pelvic region. There is no current cure for IC, but prescription medications, such as Elmiron, are often used to treat IC symptoms.
What Is Elmiron Supposed to Treat?
Patients with IC are often misdiagnosed as having urinary tract infections (UTIs). This is because IC can include bladder pain and a burning sensation when urinating. People with the condition also have a constant urge to urinate or difficulty urinating.
IC does not respond to antibiotics the way UTIs do. To treat the pain and discomfort of interstitial cystitis, patients use various treatments. One of the most common is pentosan polysulfate sodium or Elmiron.
Elmira is supposed to work by forming a layer along the bladder wall that prevents it from being exposed to the harmful substances in the patient’s urine. However, Elmiron has also been known to function as a blood thinner, which can make it dangerous for certain patients.
Taking Elmiron as Prescribed
If you have an Elmiron prescription for IC, you may be wondering if you should go forward with your prescription after learning of the risks. There are other potential treatment options that may be available to treat IC, which you could ask your doctor about. They include:
- Loratadine, diphenhydramine, hydroxyzine, or other antihistamines
- Naproxen sodium, ibuprofen, or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Training your bladder to urinate on a schedule instead of when the urge to urinate comes
- Making dietary changes that might include reducing irritating foods
- Imipramine, amitriptyline, or other types of tricyclic antidepressants
- Use of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) machines or other types of nerve stimulation
If your healthcare provider wants you to use Elmiron, you should discuss with them the potential side effects and risks of this medical condition. You also should talk to your doctor about other potential treatment options before using Elmiron.
Side Effects Linked to Elmiron Use
Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Elmiron’s manufacturer, has been accused of failing to warn patients of the risks of its use. When used as prescribed, Elmiron is said to cause various side effects and medical conditions, including:
- Vision problems
- Blindness
- Retinol pigmentary maculopathy
- Blood in the stool
- Hair loss
- Liver problems
- Paracentral scotomas
- Difficulty reading
- Metamorphosis
- Trouble adapting to lighting
- Nausea
- Waking
- Unexplained rash
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Dizziness
- A frequent urge to urinate
- Discomfort in the bladder or pelvic region
- Pelvic pain
- Painful sexual intercourse
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Anemia
Many patients with vision issues did not report vision improvement upon stopping the use of the medication. If you have suffered any of the previously mentioned side effects after taking Elmiron, you may have the right to financial compensation. Be sure to contact our office to find out how you can get justice.
What to Do If You Suffered Elmiron Side Effects
If you were taking Elmiron or someone you loved was prescribed Elmiron and subsequently developed vision problems or another serious medical condition, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the drug’s manufacturer.
With help from our defective drug lawyer, you could file an insurance or civil claim against Janssen Pharmaceuticals or other liable parties for how your injuries affect your life. Our Elmiron side effects attorney can determine the best approach for your case.
When to File a Lawsuit for Elmiron Side Effects
If you experienced one or more of the following types of vision problems, you might have a lawsuit:
- Macular retinopathy
- Maculopathy
- Retinal pigment epithelium atrophy
- Retinopathy
- Pigmentary maculopathy
- Halo vision
- Scotomas
- Unilateral blindness
- Bilateral blindness
- Vision loss
- Blurred vision
- Metamorphopsia
- Vision impairment
Types of Damages You Could Recover
When you took Elmiron as prescribed and suffered side effects, you have the right to recover every loss. This includes financial losses and the physical and emotional trauma to your medical condition.
Some of the losses you can seek in a defective drug claim include:
- Emotional distress
- Medical expenses
- Medical equipment fees
- Future medical care
- Loss of income
- Physical pain and suffering
- Loss of potential future earnings
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
You Can Call Us for Legal Help if You Are Experiencing Elmiron Side Effects
If you were prescribed Elmiron and subsequently developed debilitating side effects or other symptoms, you may have the right to financial compensation. Our Texas defective drug lawyer at Loncar Lyon Jenkins can determine if you can pursue a case against Elmiron’s manufacturer.
Our law firm offers free initial consultations to victims of defective drugs across Texas. Call us today to discuss your potential case.
