Elmiron was initially approved for use by the FDA in 1996 to treat the symptoms of interstitial cystitis. Interstitial cystitis, also known as painful bladder syndrome, is a chronic condition that mainly affects women. Elmiron is the only FDA-approved drug to manage the symptoms. Studies have recently revealed that the prescription medication is linked to visual impairment in long-term users, which could also include blindness.

In this new video brought to you by The Yost Legal Group, Attorney Tom Yost explains who is affected and how they can take action.

Manufacturer Knew of Reports of Vision Problems for More Than 20 Years 

Although the manufacturer of Elmiron, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, received more than 100 reports of vision problems over the course of 20 years from those who used the drug, they did not disclose this side effect to doctors or consumers.

By defying their responsibility to make this severe health risk clear, Janssen Pharmaceuticals put those who take their medication at risk.

A formal link between the medication and eye injury was established in a 2018 case series. Doctors discovered retinal maculopathy in a publication from Emory Eye Center in Atlanta with six long-term users of the medication, diagnosed with pigmentary maculopathy. The Emory Eye Center physicians confirmed the link between the drug and retinal maculopathy, pigmentary retinal maculopathy, and macular degeneration.

Kaiser Permanente in California recently scanned its database and located people who have used the medication for five years or longer. After the patients were invited to have eye exams, it was found that 1 in 4 of those patients were diagnosed with retinal maculopathy.

What is Retinal Maculopathy?

Retinal Maculopathy is a condition resulting from an injury to the center of the retina in an area called the macula. Signs and symptoms of retinal maculopathy include:

• Difficulty reading
• Difficulty adapting vision in low-light situations
• Permanent vision loss
• Vision irregularities
• Pain in the eye region
• Blindness
• Difficulty seeing close up
• Dark spots in the center of the vision field

It’s important to note that this newly discovered condition, Retinal Maculopathy, includes symptoms that occur gradually and may not be immediately apparent.

The Defective Drug Attorneys at The Yost Legal Group Are On Your Side

If you or a loved one has taken the interstitial cystitis medication Elmiron and are experiencing vision loss, consult with an ophthalmologist for an eye exam immediately. If diagnosed with retinal maculopathy, you could be entitled to compensation.

Contact the defective drug attorneys at The Yost Legal Group by filling out and submitting a form on our website or calling our office toll-free at 1-800-YOST-LAW for a free legal consultation today.