Painful bladder medication Elmiron has been linked with vision loss because of its toxicity to the retina of the eyes. The drug has been on the market since the late 1990s to treat interstitial cystitis. Unfortunately, the drug is still on the market despite the risk of permanent blindness. Those who have been taking the drug and suffering from any form of eye damage or vision loss can file a vision loss lawsuit against its manufacturer Janssen Pharmaceuticals.
Elmiron is made to treat chronic pain or discomfort in the bladder because of interstitial cystitis. This condition causes bladder pressure or pain that may impact the entire pelvic region. Elmiron forms a layer on the bladder wall and protect it from harmful or irritating substances in the urine.
How the Drug Causes Vision Loss
According to many studies, people who take Elmiron have high levels of toxicity that damage the retina. Consistent exposure to the drug made some patients suffer from pigmentary maculopathy, which was apparent in the layer of cells that nourishes the retina. Because it cannot be determined how much the drug leads to toxicity levels that damage the eye, patients who show toxicity symptoms must get themselves scanned for retina damage at least once every year. Also, they must talk to the doctor about stopping the use of Elmiron.
What is Pigmentary Maculopathy
Maculopathy is a pathological condition of the macula, the area of the retina associated with highly sensitive and accurate vision. Those who have this condition will experience symptoms such as a gradual loss of central vision. They will notice a dark spot when looking straight ahead that grows and expands over time. Other symptoms include blurred vision, flashing lights, loss of color, and contrast sensitivity. In the case of patients who have taken Elmiron, evidence shows that a buildup of pentosan polysulfate sodium (the generic name of Elmiron) in the retinal cells causes such irreversible vision issues.
The Risk of Pigmentary Maculopathy
For those who have been taking Elmiron, the risk of developing pigmentary maculopathy increases with the longer someone takes the drug. Patients prescribed with Elmiron have been taking dosages between 200 mg and 400 mg per day for an average of fifteen years.
Often, macular degeneration is associated with advanced age; however, some patients are in their 20s when first diagnosed. Although this doesn’t constitute proof that the drug causes pigmentary maculopathy, evidence of a link is quite compelling.