A: To determine whether you can file a claim after using Elmiron, you have to prove that taking the drug as prescribed caused you harm or injuries that you were not informed of. This process can be made easier by speaking with a product liability attorney. They can review your situation and offer guidance on what your next steps might be. They can also gather any relevant evidence that could support your claim.
Baton Rouge Elmiron Lawyer
Baton Rouge Elmiron Attorney
Defective products can cause serious injuries as well as financial burdens, which can impact a victim’s quality of life. This can be exacerbated when the product is something as serious as a prescription drug. Filing a product liability claim can help you hold the manufacturer accountable and recover damages for the money you spent to heal from your injuries. To learn more, contact a skilled Baton Rouge Elmiron lawyer at Murphy Law Firm.
What is Elmiron?
Information And What To Do
Elmiron (pentosan polysulfate sodium) is a prescription drug that is used to treat bladder pain and discomfort. It is commonly prescribed to people who suffer from a chronic condition called interstitial cystitis (IC). IC can cause intense bladder pressure and pain. There is no current cure or effective treatment for IC. Elmiron is the only FDA approved drug available today to help mitigate the discomfort and pain people with IC suffer from daily.
IC is extremely common. Current estimates figure that about 1 to 4 million men and 3 to 8 million women in the United States suffer from IC. There is no generic for Elmiron, and Janssen Pharmaceuticals is the only manufacturer of the drug. The majority of Elmiron users are women, and the majority of users take Elmiron long-term. Estimates guess that hundreds of thousands of people have used Elmiron. Recent studies suggest that long-term use of the drug can be toxic to the retina.
Side Effects
The common side effects of Elmiron as listed by the manufacturer are, hair loss, diarrhea, upset stomach, headache, and abdominal pain. Janssen Pharmaceuticals mentions nothing about eye damage and retina toxicity in their drug warnings for Elmiron. Recent research into long term Elmiron use is pretty clear on the dangers to user’s eyes. More and more people are coming forward and detailing their eye injuries as a result of Elmiron. Injuries include:
- Retinopathy
- Degenerative Maculopathy
- Macular Retinopathy
- Macular Dystrophy
- Pigmentary Maculopathy
- Unilateral & Bilateral Blindness
- Halo Vision
- Vision Loss
- Vision Impairment
- Vision Blurring
This list is by no means exhaustive, and as more information is made public, more injuries are bound to be reported. What we do know is that long term Elmiron use leads to retina toxicity in about 25 percent of the people who use it. If you are currently taking Elmiron, talk to your doctor and schedule regular exams for your eyes to make sure that you are not doing damage to your vision. Many of the vision problems associated with Elmiron mask themselves as normal degenerative diseases associated with aging.
Gathering Evidence for Your Claim
If you have not already done so, go to the doctor as soon as possible if you have been experiencing eye injuries. This can help your case by providing evidence that you have been taking the product and experiencing eye injuries. Keep any records you have of these medical visits. Even if the product is defective or expired, don’t get rid of it, and keep the original packaging and instructions if possible. Keep the receipt proving that you purchased it as well.
Get Help from a Personal Injury Attorney
Janssen Pharmaceuticals never warned Elmiron users that it could lead to eye damage. If you are taking or have taken Elmiron you could have a case against Janssen Pharmaceuticals for the injuries you have sustained. Murphy Law Firm is here to help you! Our team of personal injury attorneys at Baton Rouge has over 150 years of combined litigation experience. We are not afraid to take a case to trial. Understand your rights, and get the legal help you need from a Louisiana personal injury lawyer. Murphy Law Firm will help protect your rights and fight for maximum compensation on your behalf. Call our team today at (225) 928-8800.
FAQs
Who Is Eligible to File an Elmiron Claim?
To be eligible to file an Elmiron claim, you need to have used the product for a significant period of time and experienced some kind of vision issue. The exact conditions to make you eligible for an Elmiron claim include many vision conditions, including blurred or distorted vision, issues with adjusting to low-lighting environments, or pain in your eyes. It helps to have evidence from a medical provider proving your health claims.
Who Is Liable in an Elmiron Claim?
Janssen Pharmaceuticals would be liable in an Elmiron claim that involves a patient receiving eye injuries as a result of taking the drug as prescribed. This is because the company did not warn patients that eye issues could be a potential side effect of the drug, even though there is research supporting these claims. These types of situations are often called marketing defects or a failure to warn because they involve an issue with the company’s marketing.
What Do I Do If I’m Experiencing Vision Issues While Taking Elmiron?
If you’re experiencing vision issues while taking Elmiron, visit a healthcare provider as soon as possible to document your injuries and understand the scope of the problem. They might recommend that you visit an optometrist or other eye care professional to offer further insight. After consulting a doctor, contact a dangerous drug attorney to review your case and figure out what your next steps might be.
Learn More About Filing an Elmiron Claim
There are often time limits associated with product liability claims. Therefore, it’s important to act as soon as possible so that you do not lose out on compensation. If you or a loved one has had issues with their vision after taking Elmiron for an extended period of time, reach out to Murphy Law Firm today. We have decades of experience in litigation and can help you seek justice for your injuries.
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