The blood thinner and bladder medication Elmiron has been linked to severe side effects, including eye damage, impaired vision and even blindness.
If this has happened to you, the manufacturer may be liable for the damages you have suffered. This not only includes medical expenses, but lost wages, pain and suffering, and potentially other damages. You can learn more about your potential Elmiron blood thinner lawsuit in a free initial consultation with one of our licensed defective drug lawyers. There is no obligation to hire our firm and we are not paid unless you receive compensation.
Rizk Law has obtained millions on behalf of our clients and we are ready to help you. We are prepared to manage the legal process on your behalf, seeking maximum compensation.
Give us a call today. We are here to help. 503.245.5677
Why Rizk Law?
Injury victims who hire attorneys often recover more compensation compared to those who do not. However, your choice of attorney is very important – you need an experienced lawyer with the resources to fully pursue a case.
Drug manufacturers have a lot of money to throw at defective drug lawsuits to attempt to avoid accountability for injuries to consumers. They often bring in multiple attorneys to find ways to discredit victims and research on the dangers of their products.
Rizk Law knows how to fight back against large corporations with deep pockets. We are also prepared for the courtroom if necessary.
Am I Eligible to File a Case?
This is one of the most commonly asked questions by potential clients. We know injury victims are often uncertain about whether they can take legal action. That is why contacting an attorney is so important. There is limited time to file a case and the clock is ticking.
It costs nothing to meet with one of our experienced attorneys so we can learn more about your situation and whether you may have a case. You can also ask us what to expect from the legal process and find out how we may be able to help you.
There are many questions we may have for you to assess whether you may have a case. For example, we may ask you:
- How long have you been taking Elmiron?
- What did your doctor prescribe this medication to treat?
- What injuries have you been diagnosed with?
- Has your diagnosis been confirmed or are doctors still determining the extent of the damage?
- When did you stop using Elmiron?
- Did stopping the medication cause your symptoms to improve?
- How have you been treating your impaired vision or other symptoms?
- How has your impaired vision affected your daily life?
- Did your doctor warn you about the risks of this medication?
Give us a call today to find out if we can help you. Call 503.245.5677
What Might Your Case Be Worth?
While each case is unique, victims of defective drugs generally pursue similar forms of compensation, such as past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages and potentially other damages like loss of companionship or lost enjoyment of life.
At Rizk Law, we are committed to pursuing maximum compensation for your damages. We are prepared to help you gather the documentation and evidence needed to validate your damages and establish their value. This includes economic and non-economic damages, the latter which are generally more difficult to evaluate.
We understand compensation cannot change what happened, but it can allow you to get the medical treatment you need. It may also help to mitigate the effect of your injuries on your ability to work. Compensation can help prevent a medical crisis from turning into a financial one as well. Compensation may allow you to mitigate the effect of your injuries on your quality of life.
History of Elmiron
It may not be surprising to learn Elmiron users have suffered serious side effects because the drug did not go through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) typical approval process. The process was expedited under the Orphan Drug Act because the drug was meant to treat rare diseases.
The drug was approved by the FDA in 1996 to treat a rare bladder condition called interstitial cystitis. This is a condition that appears to be more likely to occur in women – the bladder becomes inflamed and scarring and stiffness may result. This can cause severe pain in the pelvis and frequent urination.
Hundreds of thousands of people have taken this drug to treat interstitial cystitis, usually over a long period of time. Unfortunately, the FDA did not update the label to include pigmentary maculopathy as a risk until June of 2020.
Pigmentary maculopathy was added to the “Warnings and Precautions” and “Adverse Reactions” sections of the drug’s label. The text says most cases happened after three years or more of use. Cumulative doses seem to be risk factors for users. The label says the FDA recommends patients receive retinal exams that include optical coherence tomography and auto-fluorescence imaging withing six months of starting the medication and periodically while taking it.
If you took the medication before these changes were made to the label, you may have a valid claim against the manufacturer for damages.
Problems Linked to Elmiron
As mentioned earlier, the most significant side effects for Elmiron users are severe visual impairment and even blindness. This is caused by pigmentary maculopathy, which is caused by damage to the retina. Visual impairment experienced by users could include the following symptoms:
- Blurred vision
- Seeing dark spots
- Problems focusing in the dark or under bad lighting
- Trouble focusing
- Seeing spots/floaters
- Trouble reading
Unfortunately, the damage to your retina may get worse even after you discontinue use of the medication. If you are experiencing these side effects, you should talk to your doctor right away. You should not simply discontinue use of the medication.
After seeking medical treatment, give Rizk Law a call to discuss a potential Elmiron blood thinner lawsuit.
Free initial consultation. No upfront fees. Call today: 503.245.5677
Studies on the Dangers of Elmiron
There are numerous studies linking Elmiron to severe side effects, including a study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology. Researchers looked at data from 2002 through 2016 and found a group of more than 1,600 patients who took the drug for seven years had a significantly greater risk of having macular retinopathy.
Another study of 117 patients found 27 displayed signs of maculopathy. Those who were taking doses of 1,500 grams had the greatest risk.
Kaiser Permanente Research did a study that also found a higher risk for patients who took 1,500 grams or more. A little less than one-third of those who took 5,000 tablets over 15 years had signs of toxicity.
Our experienced attorneys are prepared to do a thorough investigation to gather evidence to build a strong case. This includes gathering evidence about the dangers of the drug to attempt to prove the manufacturer should have known about the risks to consumers.
Is the Manufacturer Currently Facing any Elmiron Blood Thinner Lawsuits?
Janssen Pharmaceuticals has been sued numerous times by users who have suffered serious side effects. These lawsuits make many similar allegations of negligence against the manufacturer, such as:
- Ignoring evidence about the risks of using the medication
- Failing to provide fair warning to consumers about the dangers
- Claiming Elmiron was safe and effective in marketing for the drug
- Failing to include specific warnings about retinal damage, visual changes or other eye conditions
Contact Rizk Law to Discuss a Potential Elmiron Blood Thinner Lawsuit
Our experienced attorneys are ready to assist you. Give us a call to schedule your free initial consultation to learn more about how we may be able to assist you.
Drug manufacturers who put dangerous medications on the market that cause injuries to consumers should be held accountable. Impaired vision, blindness and other serious eye injuries can affect nearly every aspect of your life, which is why victims may be eligible to receive significant compensation for physical, financial and emotional damages.
Our attorneys work on contingency, which means we are not paid unless you receive compensation.
Local. Licensed. Lawyers. Call Rizk Law today. Phone: 503.245.5677