Elmiron Lawsuit

Elmiron® is a prescription drug used to treat interstitial cystitis but has recently been connected to numerous vision problems in its users. Victims of eye damage related to this drug may be eligible to file an Elmiron lawsuit to pursue financial compensation for their injuries.

Call Sokolove Law at (800) 995-1212 or get a free case review today to learn more about how we may be able to help with your case.

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Elmiron Lawsuit Update & News

Elmiron (pentosan polysulfate sodium) is a prescription drug used to treat bladder pain and discomfort associated with interstitial cystitis (IC).

Recently, it has come under fire for its link to serious eye damage. Elmiron users across the United States claim that the drug may cause many vision issues.

Elmiron lawsuits allege that the company did not disclose the link between Elmiron use and serious vision damage.

Elmiron Linked to Eye Damage and Blindness

In June 2020, Elmiron maker Janssen Pharmaceuticals updated the drug’s product labeling to warn of vision problems. It also recommends that all who use Elmiron should have their eyesight regularly tested.

The label now states Elmiron can change pigments in the retina, causing blurred vision, reading problems, and sensitivity to low light.

Further, the label states that a patient's eyesight can continue to worsen even if they stop using Elmiron. These changes may not be reversible.

While this warning may be helpful information for future Elmiron users, it comes too late for those already suffering from eye damage.

Filing an Elmiron Lawsuit for Eye Damage

Across the country, those who have taken the IC drug Elmiron have reported experiencing various vision-related impairments, including:

  • Blurred vision
  • Difficulty reading
  • Distorted vision
  • Eye pain
  • Issues adjusting to darkness
  • Macular degeneration
  • Pigmentary maculopathy
  • Retinal maculopathy
  • Vision disturbances
  • Vision loss

To seek justice and hold Janssen Pharmaceuticals accountable, many families have turned to filing Elmiron eye damage lawsuits.

Elmiron Lawsuit Criteria: Who Can File a Claim?

You may be eligible to file an Elmiron interstitial cystitis lawsuit if you or your loved one:

  • Took Elmiron (or pentosan polysulfate sodium) for at least 2 years
  • Suffered any of the vision problems listed above

These vision issues may have started while you were still taking Elmiron or within a couple years of stopping.

You may also be able to take legal action if you were diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration prior to taking Elmiron.

Not sure if you meet the criteria? Call (800) 995-1212 or get a free legal consultation today to see if you meet the Elmiron lawsuit criteria. Our team is available 24/7 to answer your questions and provide support.

What to Look for in an Elmiron Lawsuit Attorney

When you’re trying to find the best Elmiron lawyer for your case, try looking for a law firm that can offer you:

  • Free Case Reviews: Does the law firm offer a free, no-obligation consultation on your Elmiron legal claim?
  • A Successful Track Record: Has the Elmiron attorney had success with cases like this in the past (verdicts and/or settlements)?
  • Decades of Experience: Has the law firm been around for a long time and do they have the experience needed to fight for your Elmiron case?
  • A Nationwide Reach: Can these lawyers work nationally to ensure that no stone is left unturned?

Why Choose Elmiron Lawsuit Lawyers with Sokolove Law?

As a national law firm, Sokolove Law has secured over $1.5 Billion in successful settlements and verdicts from dangerous drug and medical device companies.

Over the last 45+ years, we've helped thousands of clients nationwide get the justice and compensation they deserve — and it doesn't cost anything out of pocket. Our Elmiron lawyers only get paid if you do, so there's no financial risk to taking legal action.

Let us fight for you. Call (800) 995-1212 or get a free case review today to see if you have a case we can help with.

How Do Elmiron Eye Damage Lawsuits Work?

Filing an Elmiron lawsuit for eye damage can be difficult to do without the help of a skilled legal team on your side.

When you work with Sokolove Law, an experienced Elmiron attorney can handle every step of the legal process on your behalf, including:

  • Investigating your case to see if you qualify to take legal action
  • Collecting evidence that supports your case
  • Filing your Elmiron lawsuit within any state deadlines
  • Pursuing an Elmiron lawsuit settlement offer without going to trial
  • Fighting on your behalf in court for a trial verdict if an Elmiron settlement isn't reached

See If You Can Take Legal Action

If you or a loved are experiencing side effects of Elmiron, we can help you understand your legal options — and there's no cost to speak with our team.

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Elmiron Lawsuit Settlement Amounts

How much an Elmiron settlement amount may be can be difficult to predict. Elmiron lawsuit settlements vary according to a number of different factors in each case, including:

  • The severity of the vision impairment you were diagnosed with
  • How long you took the prescription drug Elmiron
  • Any lost wages or income as a result of this eye damage

Past Elmiron Settlements

On May 4, 2020, a Nevada woman filed a complaint against Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals, alleging that their product (Elmiron) caused her to develop the retinal disease maculopathy.

The Nevada woman faced chronic exposure to Elmiron, having used the drug since 2012. Her personal injury lawsuit states that her vision began to deteriorate after taking the medication for six years.

If you or a loved one take or have taken Elmiron and suffered an eye disorder or vision issues as a result, you may have an Elmiron case.

What Is Elmiron Used For?

Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1996, pentosan polysulfate sodium (Elmiron) is the only FDA-approved oral medication used to treat bladder pain and discomfort associated with interstitial cystitis (IC).

IC, also known as “painful bladder syndrome,” is a chronic bladder condition with no known cure. Elmiron is an IC drug with potentially severe side effects.

Get the Help You Deserve

Over the last 45+ years, we've helped clients in all 50 states secure a total of over $9.3 Billion. Get a free case review today to see if we can help you, too.

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Elmiron Eye Damage Symptoms

Recent studies have investigated the link between the use of Elmiron and eye disease.

Elmiron Long-Term Side Effects

Elmiron may be linked to the following eye diseases:

  • Macular degeneration
  • Pigmentary maculopathy
  • Retinal maculopathy

Elmiron Side Effects: Eye and Vision Symptoms

Other Elmiron damage symptoms may include:

  • Blurred vision
  • Difficulty reading
  • Distorted vision
  • Eye pain
  • Issues adjusting to darkness
  • Vision disturbances
  • Vision loss

Get Help Filing an Elmiron Lawsuit Today

Elmiron lawsuits allege that the drug maker did not disclose the link between Elmiron use and serious vision damage and failed to warn patients about this risk.

Given that Elmiron is the only IC prescription drug on the market and its sales amount to at least $150 Million per year, countless Americans may be at risk of developing a serious eye condition.

Call Sokolove Law today at (800) 995-1212 or start a free legal case review. You may be entitled to compensation if you took Elmiron and experienced vision or eye problems.

Note: Do not change medications without first consulting your doctor.
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Elmiron Lawsuit Settlements FAQs

Does Elmiron cause macular degeneration? 

Long-term use of Elmiron can damage the central part of the retina known as the macula, which controls our ability to read, recognize faces, see colors and fine details, focus, and more.

This kind of eye injury can lead to vision problems and an increased risk of eye diseases like pigmentary maculopathy and macular degeneration.

If you’ve experienced vision or pigmentary changes after taking the drug Elmiron, you may be entitled to compensation from a macular degeneration lawsuit. Even if you were diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration prior to taking Elmiron, you may still qualify.

Get a free case evaluation today to see what your legal options may be.

Am I eligible to file an Elmiron eye damage lawsuit?

You may be eligible to file an Elmiron eye lawsuit if you or your loved one:

  • Took the prescription drug Elmiron (or pentosan polysulfate sodium) for at least 2 years
  • Experienced a macula-based vision problem like those listed above

Even if you were diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration before you started taking Elmiron, you may still qualify for compensation from an Elmiron lawsuit.

Get a free consultation today to see if you meet the Elmiron lawsuit criteria.

How much do Elmiron lawsuit lawyers cost?

Elmiron lawsuit lawyers with Sokolove Law work on a contingency basis, which means we’ll only get paid if you do. You won’t be charged any upfront or out-of-pocket fees when working with one of our Elmiron attorneys.

When should I file an Elmiron eye damage lawsuit?

There are state laws called statutes of limitations that limit how long you have to take legal action in a case. Once this deadline passes, you won’t have the opportunity to file an Elmiron lawsuit again — ever.

The sooner you reach out to us, the more likely we will be able to help you file your claim in time. Get started today with a free case review.

Can Elmiron cause blindness?

In several recent studies, clinical researchers have identified a link between the use of Elmiron and macular degeneration, a condition that over time can lead to permanent vision loss.

In a 2019 study, 91 Elmiron patients who had taken the drug for more than 15 years were tested for vision problems. Of the 91 patients, 22 had clear indications of retinal damage associated with macular degeneration.

Is there an Elmiron alternative?

Elmiron is currently the only FDA-approved drug for the treatment of IC.

While there are no other approved medications for this condition, many doctors treat patients with a combination of other methods, which may include diet modification and pain relievers like ibuprofen.

Does Elmiron cure interstitial cystitis?

Elmiron is not a cure for interstitial cystitis (IC). Currently, palliative treatments may lessen or relieve some of the symptoms associated with bladder pain syndrome, but medications alone will not eliminate the disorder.

Often, an IC patient may need to undergo several different therapies before identifying a combination that provides noticeable relief. For roughly half of all IC patients, symptoms may eventually go away naturally.

How long should you take Elmiron?

For an IC patient who begins an Elmiron regimen, it may take between 3 and 6 months of continuous treatment before noticeable signs of relief.

After the first 3 months, a patient should be reassessed by their doctor. Depending on the effectiveness of the drug and the absence of side effects, a doctor may then recommend extending Elmiron therapy another 3 to 6 months.

Some Elmiron patients continue using the drug for up to 15 to 20 years or more.

  1. Nezgoda, J. T., & Jain, N. "Pigmentary Maculopathy From Chronic Exposure to Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium." Retrieved from: https://www.aao.org/interview/pigmentary-maculopathy-from-chronic-exposure-to-pe. Accessed on June 1, 2023.
  2. Kimberly Pelczar v. Teva Branded Pharmaceutical Products R&D, et al., 3:20-cv-00406 (Conn 2020). Accessed on June 1, 2023.