Important Information Elmiron Users Should Know About Maculopathy

Jed Dietrich, Esq., Honored with Memberships in Numerous Elite Organizations, and His Team of Aggressive, Tenacious, and Hardworking Attorneys at the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. Strive to Provide the Best Personal Injury Representation to Victims Who Have Developed Pigmentary Maculopathy After Being Prescribed Elmiron in Buffalo, New York.

As Americans, we trust that medications prescribed to us have been cautiously vetted and meticulously evaluated by the pharmaceutical companies that formulate them. When known dangers of medications are ignored, the consequences can be devastating. Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, has been widely criticized for failing to warn patients about the risks related to Elmiron (pentosan polysulfate sodium). Elmiron is the only medication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for interstitial cystitis (IC). According to the American Urological Association, millions of people throughout the country, mostly women, suffer from interstitial cystitis. Elmiron, which belongs to a class of anticoagulant drugs, is thought to work by coating the surface of the bladder wall to protect it from irritating substances in urine and bacteria.

Since being approved in 1996, millions of patients have been prescribed Elmiron. Janssen had a legal obligation to ensure that patients who took Elmiron would not be unnecessarily harmed. Although ophthalmologists exposed a link between Elmiron and pigmentary maculopathy as early as 2015, it took Janssen approximately 5 years to update its warning label. Maculopathy is a disease that harms the small central part of the retina, causing severe eye damage and vision loss. Numerous studies have concluded that Elmiron’s active ingredient exposes users to retina damage-causing toxicity. Victims who have been prescribed the drug and developed resulting eye damage or vision loss are vigorously pursuing product liability lawsuits.

In December 2020, the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) ordered all federal Elmiron lawsuits to be consolidated. Judge Brian R. Martinotti is presently managing the Elmiron multidistrict litigation (MDL), which involves roughly 240 cases. The first bellwether trial is expected to be held around January 2023. If you, or a loved one, took Elmiron and has been diagnosed with eye damage, there has never been a better time for you to call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s battle-tested attorneys. We pride ourselves on helping victims, and their loved ones effectively navigate through their cases from start to finish. Our veteran team will ease all of your stress and uncertainty by managing every aspect of your lawsuit.

Jed Dietrich, Esq. has fought to obtain over $175 million in judgments and settlements on behalf of his clients. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s outstanding legal expertise, client reviews, peer nominations, and success at trial are just a few of the many reasons that you should retain us. Kindly see our Justia 10.0 Lawyer Rating and clients’ testimonials by clicking here. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 716-839-3939, or by completing the online consultation form. Please call us today for your free, no-obligation consultation and lawsuit evaluation.

Studies presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmology suggest that nearly 25% of all long-term Elmiron users suffered clear signs of eye damage and ocular toxicity. The toxicity levels were significantly higher in patients who took more of the medication. Initially, it is not uncommon for victims who develop maculopathy to not display any adverse symptoms. The first sign of macular degeneration is typically a blurry section near your center of vision. The blurriness progressively worsens and can lead to total central vision loss. If you are taking Elmiron, even slight changes in your vision should be discussed with an ophthalmologist. It is important to watch out for the following signs of macular degeneration:

1. Round, yellowish lesions near the retina;
2. Trouble reading fine print;
3. Loss of clear vision;
4. Dark spots in the center of your field of vision;
5. Bright colors appearing muted or less intense;
6. Everyday objects looking distorted;
7. Difficulty seeing during the nighttime;
8. Prolonged light to dark adaptation;
9. Dimming vision; and
10. Paracentral scotoma.

Unfortunately, for many victims, vision loss and eye damage continue deteriorating long after stopping Elmiron use. Some victims unexpectedly notice discrepancies when looking at objects with straight lines. If straight lines start appearing wavy or inconsistent, you could have a case of severe, late macular degeneration. You can easily test your eyesight at home using an Amsler grid. Regular eye checkups for retinal damages are also highly recommended for the early diagnosis of maculopathy.

Countless individuals suffering from interstitial cystitis relied on Elmiron to alleviate their bladder pain and discomfort. However, Janssen Pharmaceuticals opted not to warn patients taking its drug about the risk of irreversible vision loss. Victims who have been diagnosed with resulting pigmentary maculopathy have the legal right to make Janssen pay for its negligence. If you are looking for an attorney to take your Elmiron claim, it is imperative to remember that all personal injury lawyers are not created equal. The importance of hiring a knowledgeable, competent, and highly experienced personal injury lawyer cannot be stressed enough. When taking on a large pharmaceutical company, even the slightest misstep could impact your compensation. Below are crucial tips to help you find the best attorney:

1. Find a law firm that offers complimentary, no-obligation case evaluations;
2. Select an attorney who exclusively litigates personal injury and product liability cases;
3. Hire a law firm that has been around for a long time and has decades of practice;
4. Search for a lawyer who has substantial courtroom experience because Janssen’s legal team will consider this when determining a settlement offer;
5. Consider past clients’ reviews to learn more about the attorney’s quality of representation provided;
6. Decide on a lawyer that has a strong reputation for obtaining large settlements and judgments;
7. Choose a law firm that has the resources necessary to litigate your case until the end; and
8. Pick a lawyer that you will be comfortable with throughout your entire lawsuit.

Jed Dietrich, Esq. has both the proficiency and proven results to hold Janssen liable. If you would like to learn more about your legal options, our award-winning litigators are available twenty-four-seven, by dialing 716-839-3939 or by completing the online consultation form.

Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at 716-839-3939 so that our aggressive, tenacious and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Buffalo, New York. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!