Elmiron Lawsuits

Janssen Pharmaceuticals knew or should have known that Elmiron, also known as pentosan polysulfate sodium (PPS), could cause pigmentary maculopathy and other vision problems when used long term, according to lawsuits.

Elmiron is intended for long-term use. In fact, the drug’s label mentions that patients may have to take the drug for at least six months before they see benefits. Elmiron is the only oral drug approved for IC, and many patients take it for years, according to lawsuits.

About 273 cases are pending in New Jersey federal court before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti as of July 15, 2021.

In 2018, Dr. William A. Pearce and other researchers published a study in Ophthalmology documenting six cases of “a novel and possibly avoidable maculopathy associated with chronic exposure to PPS.”

Researchers found people who took Elmiron suffered retinal damage that caused vision problems.

Several other studies followed the 2018 study that confirmed its findings. In 2019, Janssen added a warning for pigmentary maculopathy with chronic use of Elmiron to Canadian drug labels.

Despite this scientific literature and the 2019 Canadian warning, Janssen Pharmaceuticals failed to warn Americans until June 2020 when it added a warning for “retinal pigmentary changes” to Elmiron’s U.S. drug label.

Lawsuits say Janssen “ignored reports from patients and health care providers throughout the United States of Elmiron’s failure to perform as intended, and injuries associated with long term use which led to the severe and debilitating injuries.”

Elmiron lawsuits are in the initial stages, and there have been no settlements or trials yet. Lawyers expect people to file 1,000 or more lawsuits.

The injuries claimed in Elmiron lawsuits are all conditions that affect the eyes. They range from blurry vision to pigmentary maculopathy.

People who may qualify to file a lawsuit took Elmiron for at least two years and received a diagnosis of vision problems or started having vision problems on or after Jan. 1, 2010.

Symptoms start while taking the drug or within one year of taking the drug.

Despite the studies and reports of vision damage, Elmiron has not been recalled. But evidence linking the drug to vision problems continues to grow.

Janssen didn’t add the pigmentary retinal changes until June 2020. The drug maker hasn’t indicated that it intends to look into the claims of eye damage or issue a voluntary recall.

The U.S Food and Drug Administration hasn’t issued a safety communication and has not indicated that it is investigating the drug to recommend any regulatory actions as of Nov. 3, 2020.

The FDA hasn’t approved any drug alternatives to Elmiron for treating the symptoms of IC. But people with IC have a few other alternatives to treat pain and discomfort. These include pain relievers and physical therapy.