New York City Elmiron Lawyers

New York City Elmiron Lawsuit – Elmiron Lawyer

Advances in medical technology, especially the development of new therapeutic drugs, have undoubtedly saved countless lives. But before these medications reach the market, they must be thoroughly vetted. Otherwise, they can cause terrible harm.

In the case of the bladder drug Elmiron, patients who’ve taken the medication have suffered severe, unexpected side effects. The drug’s maker, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, never warned consumers about these potential side effects. Many patients experienced debilitating eye damage and vision problems as a result. Now, patients are filing lawsuits demanding compensation for the devastating side effects they suffered.

If you took Elmiron and suffered severe eye damage or other side effects, contact the Elmiron lawsuit lawyers at Finz & Finz, P.C. Our highly respected defective drugs attorneys are known across the country for having obtained numerous multi-million dollar verdicts against some of the largest pharmaceutical corporations in the United States. Call (855) TOP-FIRM or contact us online now for a free and confidential initial consultation.

Recent Elmiron Lawsuit Updates

August 2021: Judge Brian R. Martinotti ordered the parties to submit a plan regarding Bellwether Trials and resolve outstanding paper discovery, depositions, and disputes.
July 2021: Judge Brian R. Martinotti ordered the parties to organize a “Science Day” presentation to outline the science and medicine behind how Elmiron use caused the injuries sustained by the Plaintiffs.
May 2021: Judge Brian R. Martinotti set forth the Preliminary Schedule for discovery and ordered an initial Bellwether Trial for January 2023.

What Is Elmiron?

Elmiron is the brand name of the drug pentosan polysulfate sodium. Janssen Pharmaceuticals developed Elmiron to treat interstitial cystitis (IC), also known as painful bladder syndrome, a chronic inflammatory condition that impacts millions of Americans. Patients with painful bladder syndrome experience various symptoms, including needing to urinate often, the sudden urge to urinate, and pain during sexual intercourse.

Currently, Elmiron is the only FDA-approved drug to treat interstitial cystitis (IC). Doctors have also prescribed Elmiron as a blood thinner and to treat osteoarthritis, a joint disease that causes joint cartilage and underlying bone tissue to deteriorate over time.

The FDA approved Elmiron in 1996, and for many years it was prescribed to patients with little scrutiny. Beginning in 2018, however, researchers found growing evidence of significant, harmful side effects associated with long-term use of Elmiron. Patients were never informed of these potential risks, and many have turned to the legal system to demand accountability and just compensation for the harm they suffered.

What Injuries Are Associated with Elmiron?

Elmiron usage is known to cause significant and irreversible retinal damage, including:

Blindnes
Vision loss
Dark spots in the field of vision
Blurred vision
Difficulty reading
Losing close vision
Dimmed vision
Night blindness

When Did Janssen Pharmaceuticals Know Elmiron Was Dangerous?

Since conducting the initial lab testing for Elmiron, Janssen Pharmaceuticals knew that it would be ineffective in treating interstitial cystitis. In fact, the FDA issued a non-approval letter in 1993 due to the ineffectiveness of the drug. Janssen appealed the decision and was again rejected by the FDA.

After back-and-forth, the FDA ultimately permitted clinical trials, during which many patients reported eye or vision-related problems after taking the drug. This information was never made public, despite Janssen Pharmaceuticals knowing about these reported side effects, and Janssen never conducted further studies or testing.

This information only came to light following recent scientific and medical studies linking Elmiron usage to retinal damage.

Scientific and Medical Studies on Elmiron Usage

In 2018, the Journal of American Academy of Ophthalmology published an Emory Eye Center study of patients who had been prescribed Elmiron. The study found six patients who had developed pigmentary maculopathy, a rare eye disease that affects the retina (specifically the retinal pigment epithelium, which is a layer of cells that nourishes the retina). Pigmentary maculopathy causes a person to lose their central vision and can eventually lead to complete blindness.

After that initial article, the Journal of American Academy of Ophthalmology released another article documenting more patients who had taken Elmiron and later developed pigmentary maculopathy. Among other findings, the article reported that researchers at Kaiser Permanente found that 25 percent of patients who had taken Elmiron show signs of eye damage. The article concluded that Elmiron use appeared to be toxic to the retina. These figures were concerning.

Further confirming scientific studies were published in the Journal of Urology, the British Journal of Ophthalmology, and the Journal of Ophthalmic Surgery, Lasers and Imaging Retina.

This led the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to add eye disorders associated with taking Elmiron to the organization’s list of Potential Signals of Serious Risk in the fall of 2019. In 2020, researchers at the Emory Eye Center reported finding even more patients with damaged retinas after long-term exposure to Elmiron.

In June 2020, the FDA updated the warning label on Elmiron to identify the risk of eye damage, and in December 2020, Health Canada issued a safety warning to healthcare professionals of the risk of permanent retinal damage and vision loss associated with Elmiron use.

How Do You Qualify for an Elmiron Lawsuit?

You should speak to a Long Island Elmiron lawyer if you took the medication for more than six months and developed any symptoms related to vision loss. This includes retinal damage, macular degeneration, retinal toxicity, blindness, and other serious side effects.

At Finz & Finz, P.C., we can evaluate your case and identify whether you are entitled to pursue compensation through an Elmiron lawsuit. We will work to gather and analyze all of your medical records and other evidence needed to demonstrate the full extent of your losses.

Why Choose Finz & Finz, P.C. as Your Elmiron Lawsuit Lawyers

If you are considering your options for pursuing an Elmiron lawsuit, you need a highly qualified New York City defective drugs lawyer. Finz & Finz, P.C. is a third-generation personal injury firm that has earned a national reputation for successfully taking on big drug companies. Our team uses world-renowned medical experts to obtain maximum compensation on behalf of our clients. We will work with you to establish your injuries, show how Janssen Pharmaceuticals is responsible, and demand the full value of what you’ve lost due to taking Elmiron. That is our never-ending commitment to you.

Contact an Elmiron Lawyer at Finz & Finz, P.C. Today

Taking Elmiron can have life-altering, permanent effects on your vision. You may be facing extensive medical bills and missed time from work due to debilitating Elmiron side effects. You deserve to be compensated for the losses you’ve suffered. Learn about your legal rights today by talking to our New York City Elmiron lawyers in a free and confidential consultation.

Call (855) TOP-FIRM or contact us online to get started.