Drug

Elmiron

Elmiron is the only oral medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat interstitial cystitis, a painful bladder condition affecting mostly women. In recent years, studies have found an association between long-term Elmiron use and a serious eye condition known as pigmentary maculopathy. While there are other types of maculopathies, such as macular degeneration, pigmentary maculopathy (also known as PPS maculopathy) is uniquely associated with Elmiron. 

In June 2020, manufacturer Janssen Pharmaceuticals added a warning regarding the risk of pigmentary maculopathy. 

Elmiron is also associated with a wide range of other side effects.

Introduced

1996

Treats

Chronic bladder pain

Side Effects

Long-term users of Elmiron have suffered a variety of side effects including a type of retina damage that could lead to permanent blindness if left untreated.

Read more about Elmiron

Eye doctor checking woman's eyesight representing Elmiron lawsuit.

Elmiron Lawsuit Update

MedTruth Editors · April 25, 2023

In 2018, a study was published that indicated taking Elmiron for years could result in an ocular condition known as pigmentary maculopathy.

Health Features
Optometrist checking patient's eyes representing the first Elmiron lawsuit scheduled over eye damage claims.

First Elmiron Lawsuit Scheduled for Marc...

MedTruth Editors · November 16, 2022

Elmiron plaintiffs allege that they developed a rare type of eye damage known as pigmentary maculopathy after taking the drug.

Legal Developments
Image of a woman with eye damage representing the Elmiron MDL lawsuit.

$10 Million Eye Damage Lawsuit Joins Elm...

MedTruth Editors · February 16, 2022

 Plaintiffs who allege that their vision has been damaged because of the drug all used Elmiron for many years.

Legal Developments
Image of a virtual conference call representing Elmiron Science Day.

Elmiron Science Day Educates Judicial Officers

MedTruth Editors · November 4, 2021

Judicial officers were briefed on the mechanisms of Elmiron’s interaction with patients and the effects of long-term exposure linked to vision damage.

Legal Developments
Image of a woman rubbing her eyes representing Elmiron delayed onset pigmentary maculopathy.

Elmiron Vision Problems May Start Years After Stopping the Drug

Risa Kerslake · March 3, 2021

This is the first report of “delayed onset” pigmentary maculopathy in which symptoms first appeared years after the patient stopped taking the drug.

Research + Findings
Image of an elderly man with eye pain representing Elmiron lawsuits transferred from around the country to New Jersey.

Elmiron Lawsuits Transferred to New Jersey

Carah Wertheimer · January 13, 2021

Elmiron bladder medication lawsuits alleging vision damage are being transferred to a single New Jersey federal court.

Legal Developments
Image of an eye representing the Elmiron class action lawsuit blocked by Pennsylvania judge.

Elmiron Class Action Lawsuit Blocked by Pennsylvania Judge

Carah Wertheimer · December 4, 2020

A request from Elmiron manufacturer to stop a proposed national class action lawsuit from proceeding has been granted.

Legal Developments
Image of a person's eye representing the elmiron diagnostic test.

Elmiron Bladder Medication and Vision Loss: What Patients Need to Know

Risa Kerslake · September 23, 2020

Symptoms that have been reported include blurry vision, difficulty seeing in the dark, and, in advanced stages, blind spots. 

Health Features
Image of a woman holding her glasses and rubbing her eyes due to vision damage from Elmiron.

Elmiron Lawsuits Claim Drug Companies Knowingly Withheld Risks

James Parker · August 25, 2020

Two women allege that drug manufacturers knowingly withheld information about harm caused by long-term use of Elmiron.

Legal Developments
A stock photo of white capsules representing Elmiron maculopathy side effects, in the recent lawsuit.

Johnson & Johnson Faces Elmiron Lawsuit for Allegedly Concealing Adverse Event Data

James Parker · May 18, 2020

A recent legal complaint filed in May by a Nevada woman named Tina Pisco claims Elmiron, a drug for interstitial cystitis, caused her to develop maculopathy — a degenerative disease of the retina that may permanently damage vision.

Legal Developments
Photo of woman with Elmiron complications struggling to read.

Research Suggests Elmiron May Cause Complications With Vision

James Parker · March 19, 2020

Studies have shown an association between Elmiron complications and retinal abnormalities, which may cause difficulty in reading and adapting to changes in light.

Research + Findings