Everything You Need to Know About the Elmiron Vision Loss Lawsuits

Elmiron is a drug created to treat interstitial cystitis. It is manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, which is a division of the pharmaceutical gan Johnson and Johnson. In the last few years, there have been many claims that this drug could cause serious vision problems. These side effects have led nearly 2,000 people to file lawsuits.  Read on to learn more about the Elmiron vision loss lawsuits.

Elmiron May Cause Vision Loss

Elmiron is accused of causing numerous vision problems. These problems include maculopathy, retinopathy, loss of night vision, and even retinal hemorrhage. In the worst cases, these vision problems could lead to partial or even complete blindness. By far the most common severe side effect of Elmiron is maculopathy. 

Elmiron causes a peculiar kind of maculopathy known as pigmentary maculopathy. This condition is only seen in Elmiron users. It most commonly causes difficulty reading and difficulty adjusting to darkness. However, maculopathy is incurable and progressive. It often gets worse even after patients stop taking this medication. The problem is usually the most severe in patients who took Elmiron for many years. 

Thousands of People May Be Eligible for Compensation

Interstitial cystitis is a relatively common condition, with many thousands of people being diagnosed with the disease every year. Also, Elmiron is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs for this condition. This means that quite a few people may be eligible to file a lawsuit. However, there are qualifications besides simply having taken Elmiron for interstitial cystitis.

Of course, you need to have suffered vision problems as a result of taking Elmiron. People who wish to file a suit must also have taken the medication for at least two years. The vision problems must have started no later than 2010. The negative side effects must also have started either while you were still taking the drug or within one year after you ceased taking the medication. 

Why to File an Elmiron Vision Loss Lawsuit

There are several good reasons for filing an Elmiron vision loss lawsuit. Firstly, studies linking the drug to vision problems started to come out in 2018. However, Janssen did not even add a warning to the medication’s label until 2020. This has led to allegations that the pharmaceutical company knew that their medication was causing serious side effects but did not acknowledge this for years. Filing a lawsuit could help get the word out about this potentially dangerous medication.

People who had vision problems due to Elmiron may also be legally entitled to compensation. Not only may you be entitled to damages for lost wages, but also for pain and suffering. 

How the Case Will Proceed

The first Elmiron lawsuit, known as the bellwether case, is scheduled to be heard in January 2023. How this case plays out will likely affect how Janssen handles the other cases. If the finding is favorable to the plaintiff, it is likely that Janssen will quickly settle the remaining cases rather than spend millions on legal bills for lawsuits that they will probably lose.