Recent studies have found that the popular oral medication Elmiron has been linked to serious eye damage known as maculopathy that we will discuss in greater detail below. As a result of these findings, users are starting to look for alternatives to Elmiron that will provide safe alternatives to the relief that Elmiron users seek. Elmiron is used to minimize pain relating to interstitial cystitis and other types of bladder pain and is highly effective for this need, but the side effects have begun to outweigh the benefits. Unfortunately, though, Elmiron is the only FDA-approved medication for interstitial cystitis, meaning that seeking an alternative is a difficult and possibly dangerous need.
If you have used Elmiron in the past and have suffered any sort of eye issues, whether or not you are certain that the eye issues are related to usage, then you may be entitled to compensation for your suffering, both short-term and long-term as this injury can have serious impacts on your life and your financial stability. The team at Balkin & Mausner Injury Lawyers, LLP is available to help you through your legal process and fight for a fair payment from the makers of Elmiron.
Contact Balkin & Mausner Injury Lawyers, LLP For a Free Consultation
The sooner you contact the team at Balkin & Mausner Injury Lawyers, LLP, the sooner we will be able to discuss your situation during a free initial consultation. During this consultation, we will give you better insight into the work that we have done relating to Elmiron, as well as what the overall legal process has been for victims of these types of eye injuries after seeking pain relief for their interstitial cystitis. We understand that this is a difficult time for anyone to go through and that adding the complexities of a legal process may only serve to overwhelm. Additionally, the defense attorneys representing Johnson & Johnson, Bayer, and Teva for their manufacturing and distribution of this dangerous drug will fight aggressively to limit your settlement or outright deny your claim.
Many people believe that hiring a personal injury attorney after injuries from a medication is too expensive, but we work on a contingency fee basis so that we can provide affordable and comprehensive legal support for victims no matter whether or not they have the financial ability to pay. Simply put: you will only pay if we win, and then as a percentage of your settlement, meaning that it will not cost you anything out of pocket to partner with experienced legal representation.
Read more about the Elmiron lawsuits and whether there are any alternatives below, and contact us now for your consultation.
What Is Elmiron?
Elmiron is the brand name of pentosan polysulfate PPS, and is a popular drug meant to alleviate bladder pain relating to interstitial cystitis and is manufactured by major drug manufacturers Johnson & Johnson, Bayer, and Teva. The medicine is highly effective for this pain, but recent studies have found a direct link between Elmiron usage and retinal damage. The medicine is alleged to work by protecting the bladder and forming a layer on the bladder wall to block the painful effects of interstitial cystitis.
Elmiron Lawsuits
As a result of the numerous studies linking Elmiron (pentosan polysulfate PPS) to eye damage, there has been a range of lawsuits filed against Johnson & Johnson, Bayer, and Teva for their roles in producing and distributing the drugs that have caused this damage. The lawsuits allege that these producers failed to provide adequate warning of these potential damages while disclosing a number of other side effects that the drug had been shown to cause during clinical studies such as diarrhea, nausea, stomach upset or pain, itching, skin rash, abdominal pain, hair loss, headaches, dizziness, and even depression.
The failure to disclose that Elmiron may have a direct link to maculopathy and a number of other eye-related injuries is a direct failure of the drug manufacturers’ duties of care and therefore makes them liable for the damages that injured Elmiron users have suffered – according to lawsuits filed throughout the United States.
Are There Alternatives to Elmiron?
Unfortunately, Elmiron is the only FDA-approved medication in the United States that is used to treat bladder pain relating to interstitial cystitis. However, it is important that you are aware of the fact that there are many uncertified websites claiming to sell alternatives, none of which are approved through the rigorous FDA processes required to sell a prescription medication in the United States. If you are trying to avoid eye damage caused by Elmiron by seeking an alternative, it is important that you work directly with your doctor to understand your options so that you are making safe and informed decisions without running the risk of buying dangerous or illegal drugs off the internet.
The following are a number of possible non-prescription alternatives to Elmiron that you may want to explore:
- Physical therapy may help to alleviate pain due to muscle tenderness or tissue abnormalities caused by IC
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen or Aleve may help to alleviate pain relating to inflammation caused by IC
- Tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline or imipramine (Tofranil) may help by relaxing your bladder and soothing tension
- Antihistamines like loratadine have been shown to reduce urinary urgency, frequency, and other symptoms
- Per WebMD:
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). With TENS, mild electrical pulses relieve pelvic pain and, in some cases, reduce urinary frequency. TENS may increase blood flow to the bladder. This may strengthen the muscles that help control the bladder or trigger the release of substances that block pain. Electrical wires placed on your lower back or just above your pubic area deliver electrical pulses — the length of time and frequency of therapy depends on what works best for you.
- Sacral nerve stimulation. Your sacral nerves are a primary link between the spinal cord and nerves in your bladder. Stimulating these nerves may reduce urinary urgency associated with interstitial cystitis.
While none of the above are as simple and effective as taking an oral medication specifically intended to alleviate the pain related to interstitial cystitis, they are safe alternatives while the prescription drug companies search for a safe alternative or safe way to take this highly-effective drug.
Contact Balkin & Mausner Injury Lawyers, LLP About Your Elmiron-related Injuries
The sooner that we are representing your case, the sooner we will be able to fight to get you the money that you deserve. While no amount of money will be able to take back the damage caused by Elmiron, we want to be sure that you are not taking on additional financial stress that a major prescription drug company should be held accountable for.