Investigation Reveals That Eye Damage Can Continue After You Stop Taking Elmiron
JAMA Ophthalmology published an investigation on July 9, 2020, about pentosan polysulfate sodium-induced maculopathy, and the findings are not good. Pentosan polysulfate sodium (PPS), known by the brand name Elmiron has been shown to increase the risk of maculopathy, sometimes leading to blindness. The recent study results indicate that the disease does not stop its progression after patients stop taking Elmiron.
Maculopathy Does Not Improve After You Stop Taking Elmiron
The recent study of PPS intended to research the evolution of maculopathy “post-cessation” of the drug. The study was limited to eleven individuals who had documented symptoms of maculopathy that were directly associated with taking Elmiron. These patients stopped taking Elmiron for at least six months. The study found that “after pentosan polysulfate sodium cessation, there was no evidence of disease regression in any eye.”
Study Shows Elmiron-Associated Maculopathy Continues to Progress
In nearly all of the patients, imaging tests revealed advancement eye disease, including “expansion of the area of involved tissue.” What does this mean? Elmiron-induced maculopathy did not improve after patients stopped taking the drug. In most cases, vision problems and eye damage continued to worsen even though patients stopped taking Elmiron,
The study’s formal conclusion states that damage can continue to evolve for at least10 years after you stop taking Elmiron PPS, and may remain a “long-term threat to central vision.”
What Does This Mean For You?
If you take Elmiron or PPS for interstitial cystitis (painful bladder syndrome) or any other condition, speak to your doctor about possible alternatives. You should also consider seeing an eye doctor. If you have experienced changes any in your vision after taking Elmiron, such as blurred vision, trouble adjusting to the glare or the dark, difficulty reading, or eye pain, they might be from long term exposure to the medication.
Hundreds of thousands of patients have been using Elmiron since the 1990s. This means that they are at risk of developing pigmentary maculopathy and retinal damage. If you are one of them, consider speaking to our lawyers about your legal rights.
Call Our Elmiron Lawyers at Alonso, Krangle, LLP to Protect Your Right to Obtain Compensation
If you have been taking Elmiron and have signs of maculopathy, you might be eligible to file an Elmiron lawsuit against Janssen, the makers of Elmiron. People across the country are filing claims against the drugmaker for failing to warn about the dangers of Elmiron.
Call us at 800-403-6191 to find out if you can file an Elmiron claim.