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What are the Serious Side Effects of Elmiron?
Long-term use of Elmiron has been linked to the following serious side effects:
- Eye injury
- Eye damage
- Retinal damage
- Retinal maculopathy
- Pigmentary maculopathy
- Adult pattern macular dystrophy
- Retinal pigmentary endothelium injury (RPE)
- Vision loss
- Vision damage
- Permanent retinal injury
- Blurred vision
- Night blindness
- Alopecia (hair loss)
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Gastroesophageal reflux
- Headache
- Skin rash
- Sleep disorders
- And more
Related Article: Elmiron Lawsuit Update
Has Elmiron Been Recalled?
To date, Elmiron has not been recalled in the United States, despite studies linking long-term use of the medicine to potentially permanent vision damage. Elmiron was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1996 and is still the only oral treatment available for interstitial cystitis.
Are There Other Side Effects?
In addition to being associated with the above serious side effects, Elmiron may cause the following moderate effects in certain users:
- Skin rashes and/or bruising
- Hair loss (alopecia)
- Sleeping problems
- Headaches
- Gaining weight
- Swelling
- Dizziness
- Liver problems
- Urinary tract infection
- Bloody stools
- Diarrhea
- Reflux
How Effective is Elmiron for Treating Interstitial Cystitis?
In double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials, 38% of patients who took Elmiron for 3 months reported improvement in their interstitial cystitis symptoms. In open-label trials, 61% of patients reported improvement. Elmiron works by restoring a damaged, thin, or “leaky” bladder surface, according to Janssen Pharmaceuticals.
How Long Should I Stay on Elmiron?
A typical dose of Elmiron is 100 mg. three times a day, for a total of 300 mg/day. Some patients report relief from symptoms in 3 to 4 weeks. For others, it may take up to 6 months for symptoms to resolve. The manufacturer urges patients to continue therapy for at least 6 months before discontinuing treatment.
Is There an Alternative to Elmiron?
Because there is no other FDA-approved drug used to treat interstitial cystitis that provides a similar effect, patients seeking an alternative usually turn to chondroitin-based supplements, which are believed to have a similar coating effect. Because Elmiron has become so expensive, many patients have made this transition with successful results.
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Get a Free Lawsuit Evaluation With Our Lawyers
The Pharmaceutical Litigation Group at Schmidt & Clark, LLP law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in lawsuits. We handle individual litigation nationwide and accept new Elmiron lawsuits in all 50 states.
Again, if you or a loved one suffered eye damage after taking Elmiron, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing an Elmiron lawsuit and our lawyer can help.
