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Nebraska Elmiron Side-Effects Attorney

Advocating for Victims of Negligent Pharmaceutical Companies

Pharmaceutical manufacturers have a duty to protect patients from severe injuries by developing the safest medications possible and, when they have negative side-effects, they should clearly warn patients of the risks. Unfortunately, numerous companies around the world ignore this duty and cause serious injuries to patients. This has most recently been seen in J&J’s oral medication Elmiron, which has been shown to cause severe retinal damage and blindness after prolonged use.

If you suffered vision loss after using Elmiron, you should immediately contact Bottlinger Law L.L.C. to discuss a product liability lawsuit. Our Nebraska Elmiron attorney is a staunch advocate for patients who were injured by negligent pharmaceutical companies and can utilize all of his skills and experience to get you the compensation you deserve. Our team can review your case in a free consultation and speak to medical experts to determine what your options are. To get started on your case, contact us at (402) 505-8234.

What Is Elmiron?

Elmiron, also known as pentosan polysulfate sodium, is an oral prescription drug that is designed to treat symptoms of interstitial cystitis (IC), including bladder pain and discomfort. IC is a chronic medical condition that presents as bladder pressure and pain, often as a result of miscommunication between the nerves in the bladder and the brain. This disease typically affects women older than 30-years-old, though it can also affect men and individuals under 30. Currently, Elmiron is the only FDA-approved oral medication for IC, meaning many people who have this illness have to turn to it for treatment for their conditions. But Elmiron comes with several side-effects that can serious injuries and even disable patients.

The Negative and Dangerous Side-Effects

In 2019, research was released by the American Academy of Ophthalmology that details how the Elmiron has been linked to retina decay, vision loss, and blindness. The study found that one in four patients who were exposed to the drug over a long period of time developed eye damage. Scientists have determined that Elmiron is toxic to the retina and can cause severe damage that is often unnoticed due to natural, age-related vision loss. This damage is also harder to detect because the drug affects the macula, which is located on the back of the eye near the optic nerve.

What makes matters worse is that many patients rely on Elmiron to manage IC, given that it is the only drug available for a condition that affects over one million people in the United States. There currently isn’t a way to repair this damage to the retina, and it is not clear what dosage of Elmiron causes retina damage. Doctors are now advising patients to get regular retina screenings if they are taking Elmiron and, if the tests do show damage, patients should speak to their urologist or OBGYN about alternative options.

Elmiron’s list of side-effects does not make any mention of vision damage, even though research has shown that it is linked to a unique condition known as pigmentary maculopathy, which can lead to permanent vision loss. Damage from Elmiron can develop within a year of using the drug and include:

  • Limited peripheral vision
  • Difficulty reading
  • Blurred vision
  • Eye pain
  • Blindness

Each of these conditions can severely impact your daily life, as well as your career. While doctors can only mitigate the damage once it is done, you may be able to hold the manufacturers of Elmiron accountable for your injuries and losses.

Is J&J Liable?

Elmiron is developed and sold through Janssen Pharmaceuticals, which is owned by Johnson & Johnson, a multi-billion dollar company that has been linked to other product liability claims. Currently, patients are filing lawsuits against the pharmaceutical giant on the basis that the company failed to warn patients of the risks of vision loss. Failure to warn lawsuits draw from the argument that a manufacturer should warn consumers of all the potential risks of using a product, and this especially applies to drug manufacturers.

If you suffered vision loss or eye damage due to prescribed use of Elmiron, you may be to file a lawsuit against J&J for compensation, but first, you must prove that:

  • J&J was aware of the danger of eye damage posed by Elmiron;
  • J&J had a duty to warn consumers of Elmiron of the risks;
  • J&J failed to issue warnings regarding Elmiron; and
  • J&J’s lack of warnings led to your injuries.

As a pharmaceutical manufacturer, J&J has a duty to protect all consumers of its products from suffering severe injuries and, when they are aware of these risks, should immediately issue warnings and update product labels. Sadly, J&J only issued new product labels with warnings about vision damage in July of 2019, meaning numerous patients were exposed to the dangers as a result of the company’s negligence. In fact, several lawsuits have argued J&J knew about the risks long before these new labels were issued and that the company is liable for the injuries patients have suffered.

Who Is Eligible for a Claim?

In order for you to receive compensation in an Elmiron product liability claim lawsuit against J&J, you must not only demonstrate how J&J failed to warn you of the dangers, but also how Elmiron caused your vision loss. This can become complicated, as vision loss can occur simply due to aging. However, if your medical records show that:

  • You were prescribed Elmiron;
  • You used the drug for at least two years; and
  • Your doctor diagnoses you with vision damage following being prescribed Elmiron (specifically maculopathy, retinopathy, or blindness)

Then you may be able to file a lawsuit against J&J. Your best option is to collect your medical records, confirm your diagnosis with your doctor, and schedule a free consultation with Bottlinger Law L.L.C. Our lead attorney can review your records and the nature of your injuries to determine whether or not J&J is liable for your vision loss. If we take you on as a client, then we can hold the company accountable for both the financial impact of your vision loss, including medical bills and damage to your career, and the emotional toll it has caused in your day-to-day life.

Contact an Experienced Pharmaceutical Liability Attorney

No matter how large the company is, a pharmaceutical manufacturer should take every precaution to protect patients from injury. This includes thoroughly testing all medication to identify any dangerous side-effects, redesigning any drugs that have severe side-effects to avoid injuries, and making patients aware of the risks. When they fail to take the necessary and vital steps, they can completely ruin a patient’s life.

But that does not mean you do not have options. If you suffered vision loss due to the prolonged use of Elmiron, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit against J&J for full compensation. But these cases are complicated and require a thorough understanding of the pharmaceutical industry, which is why you should talk to an experienced Omaha product liability attorney at Bottlinger Law L.L.C. Our legal team can review your medical records, speak to your doctors, and handle all of the legal heavy lifting as we work to get you the compensation you need after your injury. To determine if you have a case, call our office at (402) 505-8234 and schedule a free consultation.

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