In the past few years, there are case reports of Elmiron (pentosan polysulfate sodium / “PPS”) causing eye problems such as retinal pigmentary changes and pigmentary maculopathy resulting in vision loss. The current body of medical literature suggests that perhaps Elmiron side effects risks related to the eye and vision — such as Elmiron-associated maculopathy — might be greater than the bladder disease treatment benefits.
Here are two medical journal articles stating that there are Elmiron side effects risks for the eye and vision of patients using Elmiron:
- This article “Pigmentary Maculopathy Associated with Chronic Exposure to Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium [Elmiron]”, published by the medical journal Ophthalmology in 2018, reported on six women who used Elmiron for treatment of their interstitial cystitis and later were diagnosed with pigmentary maculopathy which was attributed to their Elmiron use.
- From “Association of Macular Disease with Long-Term Use of Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium [Elmiron]: Findings from a U.S. Cohort”, published by the British Journal of Ophthalmology in 2019: “PPS [Elmiron] users had significantly increased odds of having atypical maculopathy . . . .”
And, next, here are two medical journal articles suggesting that the bladder disease treatment benefits of Elmiron are not that great:
- From “A Pilot Clinical Trial of Oral Pentosan Polysulfate [Elmiron] and Oral Hydroxyzine in Patients with Interstitial Cystitis”, published by the Journal of Urology in 2003: “The low global response rate for PPS [Elmiron] and hydroxyzine suggest that neither provided benefit for the majority of patients with IC.”
- From “Pentosan Polysulfate [Elmiron] for Treatment of Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome: Insights from a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled Study”, published by the Journal of Urology in 2015: “Results of this study in a broad population of patients with symptoms consistent with interstitial cystitis revealed no treatment effect vs. placebo for pentosan polysulfate sodium [Elmiron].”
We are currently investigating possible Elmiron drug injury lawsuits for patients diagnosed with a vision-related Elmiron side effect such as Elmiron-associated maculopathy.
[Read article in full at original source]