Fears Nachawati is investigating recent reports that widely-prescribed Elmiron can damage the retina and potentially cause blindness. Elmiron is the only FDA-approved treatment for interstitial cystitis, which causes chronic pain in the bladder and pelvic area. Interstitial cystitis affects more than 1 million people in the United States – mostly women – hundreds of thousands of whom have been prescribed Elmiron as treatment.

Numerous clinical studies have connected long-term use of Elmiron’s key ingredients, pentosan polysulfate sodium or PPS, with a condition called pigmentary maculopathy, a progressive and untreatable eye disorder that results in vision loss and, in some cases, blindness. These findings have been confirmed by additional research, including a study that found damage to the retina continued after individuals stopped taking the drug. J&J subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals added a warning to the drug in June 2020, highlighting the risk to the retina, the light-sensing tissue at the back of the eye.

Fears Nachawati has extensive experience investigating dangerous drugs and holding their manufacturers accountable. Patients or family of patients who have taken Elmiron could be entitled to pursue a lawsuit against Janssen Pharmaceuticals.

“Janssen has marketed Elmiron as a safe treatment for bladder pain with few side effects,” said Fears Nachawati partner Amy Shahan. “We’re only now learning that this drug, after decades on the market, has been linked to irreversible retina damage. Janssen has taken too long to respond to these concerns, and Americans deserve answers and accountability.”

PPS is the only known cause of pigmentary maculopathy, which is often misdiagnosed as age-related macular degeneration or pattern dystrophy. Side effects include dark spots in the vision field, difficulty reading or adjusting to dim lighting, loss of color perception, persistent eye strain during reading and other activities, blurred vision, and blindness. For more information, contact Fears Nachawati at 866-705-7584.

Area of Practice

Pharmaceutical Drug and Medical Device Cases

Pharmaceutical and medical device injuries

Related Case Types

• Elmiron
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• Pharmaceutical Drug and Medical Device Cases