Eye Damage From Long Term Use of Elmiron
Using Elmiron over a period of time can cause serious vision problems. It’s important to take some precautions, like avoiding using the product while you’re pregnant or nursing. Also, read the symptoms of eye damage, and how to treat it.
Symptoms of eye damage
Symptoms of eye damage from long term use of Elmiron include a slow adaptation to light, difficulty focusing, dark spots, and blurred vision. These problems can continue to worsen even after the patient stops taking the drug.
Researchers at the Emory Eye Center in Atlanta, Georgia discovered that a small number of patients were showing signs of retinal maculopathy. These were six patients who had been using the drug for many years.
The patients had all had retinal damage, but the cause of their condition was unknown. No previous conditions were present in these patients. They all had been taking Elmiron for at least 15 years.
Janssen Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of Elmiron, knew about the risk of eye damage since 1996, but did not add a warning to the drug’s label. The company also failed to educate the medical community about the risk of eye damage.
The Elmiron manufacturer is also being criticized for not issuing a recall, but sales of the drug continue as usual. As of 2020, the drug is still on the market, and there are no warnings about the risk of macular damage.
Treatment for vision problems
Until recently, there has been no clear evidence that Elmiron is linked to retinal damage. However, studies have begun to show that Elmiron may be toxic to the retina.
A study conducted by the Emory Eye Center found that patients who were treated with the drug for interstitial cystitis had changes in the macula, the central part of the retina. Among the changes were dark spots, which helped doctors identify the condition as pigmentary maculopathy.
According to researchers, pigmentary maculopathy is a condition in which the macula, the part of the retina that nourishes the eye, becomes damaged. This can lead to permanent vision loss.
Another study found that nearly one-quarter of patients who took the drug for 15 years had signs of eye damage. These findings are significant because it suggests that the drug’s long-term use of Elmiron use could cause serious damage to the eyes.
Researchers have also found that increased dosage of the drug causes more significant eye damage. For instance, patients taking more than 1,500 milligrams a day have the highest risk of toxicity.
Precautions for pregnant or nursing women
Using Elmiron is safe, but there are precautions for pregnant or nursing women to be aware of. Some medicines may not be used together, so talk to your doctor. During pregnancy, you should take the medicine only if your doctor recommends it. You should also tell your health care provider about any other medications you are taking.
There are no known adverse effects for babies that are exposed to Elmiron during pregnancy. However, you should not use the medication if you are breast feeding. This is because the drug can pass into the milk.
The drug has been linked to spleen and liver problems. If you experience any of these problems, stop taking the medication immediately. The side effects may be short-lived and go away during treatment. If they do not, call your doctor or emergency medical service.
Some people have reported blurred vision. Those with long-term Elmiron use have also reported retinal damage. In June 2020, Janssen added a warning about the risk of pigmentary maculopathy.
Whether or not J&J knew about the danger
Whether or not J&J knew about the danger of long term use of Elmiron is an important question in any pharmaceutical liability lawsuit. There are many factors that go into the question of whether the drug company acted negligently, such as the failure to warn consumers about side effects and injuries.
Whether or not J&J knew about eye damage from the drug can help determine the amount of compensation the company will receive in the case. However, the question of whether the company acted negligently is not always easy to answer.
The drug’s label did not warn of the risk of vision loss or maculopathy, a type of eye disease that causes blurred or damaged vision. Studies suggest that long-term exposure to the medication can cause retinal damage, leading to blindness.
Plaintiffs in Elmiron lawsuits claim that the drug company failed to properly warn the public about the potential for vision problems. This can lead to a jury award of up to $72 million.