Elmiron Lawsuit Lawyers

What Is Elmiron and Why Is It So Dangerous?

Elmiron (pentosan polysulfate sodium) is a medication manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. The FDA approved Elmiron in 1996 as the only oral medication for treating interstitial cystitis, a painful bladder condition affecting millions of Americans.

Here's what makes Elmiron particularly concerning:

• Single treatment option: For 24 years, doctors had no alternative oral medication, forcing patients into long-term Elmiron use.
• Hidden vision risks: From 1996 to 2020, the drug label contained no warnings about serious eye damage.
• Irreversible damage: Once pigmentary maculopathy develops, vision loss may be permanent.
• Delayed symptoms: Vision problems might only appear after years of use.

Patients trusted this medication because they had no choice. Janssen Pharmaceuticals knew about vision risks but failed to warn doctors or patients for over two decades. That 24-year silence represents the core of our legal case against them.

The Science Behind Elmiron's Vision Damage

Groundbreaking research has definitively linked Elmiron to severe eye damage. The evidence isn't theoretical; it's documented in major medical studies that Janssen Pharmaceuticals can't dispute.

Emory Eye Center Findings (2018-2019)

Researchers at Emory University discovered the connection between Elmiron and vision problems while treating patients with unexplained retinal damage. Their study of 10 patients revealed a disturbing pattern: those with pigmentary maculopathy had all been taking Elmiron long-term. The damage created a distinctive pattern that eye specialists could identify on examination.

Kaiser Permanente Study Results

Kaiser Permanente's comprehensive analysis provided the most damning evidence yet. Their research on 91 individuals showed that 25% of patients taking Elmiron for 15 years or longer developed eye damage. Severity of the disease increased with higher doses of Elmiron, with over 40% of patients taking 1,500 grams for 15 years developing severe pigmentary maculopathy.

This wasn't a rare side effect affecting a few unlucky patients. It was harming one in four long-term users.

FDA's Delayed Response

Despite mounting evidence, the FDA didn't require updated warnings until June 15, 2020, nearly 25 years after approval. The new label warns that Elmiron may cause "changes in the retina" and recommends regular eye exams.

This warning came too late for thousands of patients who had already developed irreversible vision damage during those unwarned decades.

Understanding Pigmentary Maculopathy and Vision Loss

Elmiron causes a specific type of eye damage called pigmentary maculopathy. This condition affects the macula, the central part of your retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision.

Symptoms of Elmiron-Related Vision Damage

• Difficulty reading small print or seeing fine details.
• Problems with night vision and adjusting to darkness.
• Blurred or distorted central vision that affects daily tasks.
• Dark spots or blind areas in your field of vision.
• Trouble with color perception and distinguishing similar shades.
• Eye strain and fatigue during visual tasks.

Why This Damage Is So Serious

Unlike some medication side effects that improve after stopping the drug, Elmiron-related vision damage appears to be permanent. The medication causes toxic buildup in retinal cells that doesn't reverse when patients stop taking Elmiron.

Many patients don't notice symptoms until the damage is severe. By the time vision problems become obvious, significant, irreversible harm has already occurred.

The FDA Timeline: 24 Years of Hidden Risks

1996: The FDA approved Elmiron with no vision warnings despite limited safety testing.

2003-2010: Early case reports of vision problems began appearing in medical literature.

2018: The Emory Eye Center published the first major study linking Elmiron to retinal damage.

2019: Expanded Emory research confirmed the connection in a larger patient group.

2020: A Kaiser Permanente study revealed 25% of long-term users develop vision problems.

June 2020: The FDA finally required updated labeling with vision warnings 24 years too late.

This timeline reveals the fundamental problem with Elmiron: Janssen Pharmaceuticals had nearly a quarter-century to study long-term vision effects but failed to provide adequate warnings until outside researchers forced the issue.

Who Can File an Elmiron Vision Loss Lawsuit?

You may have a valid legal claim if you:

• Took Elmiron for bladder/interstitial cystitis treatment for any period of time.
• Developed vision problems, including reading difficulties, night vision issues, or eye strain.
• Were diagnosed with pigmentary maculopathy or retinal damage.
• Used Elmiron before June 2020, when proper warnings were finally added.
• Continue to experience vision problems despite stopping Elmiron.

The duration of Elmiron use matters for your case. While some patients developed problems after months of use, those who took Elmiron for years typically suffered more severe damage and may be entitled to larger compensation.

What If I'm Not Sure About My Diagnosis?

Many patients know they have vision problems but haven't been specifically diagnosed with pigmentary maculopathy. That's okay. We can help you get the right evaluation. Our investigation includes working with eye specialists who understand Elmiron-related damage and can properly assess your condition.

Current Elmiron Litigation Status

The Elmiron litigation is actively moving forward with cases consolidated in federal court in New Jersey under multidistrict litigation (MDL) No. 2973. As of November 2025, over 1,800 cases have been filed against Janssen Pharmaceuticals.

What MDL Means for Your Case

Multidistrict litigation combines similar cases for more efficient handling of common issues, like:

• Whether Elmiron causes pigmentary maculopathy.
• What Janssen Pharmaceuticals knew about vision risks and when they knew it.
• Whether the company provided adequate warnings to doctors and patients.
• How to measure damages for vision loss.

Individual cases maintain their unique circumstances while benefiting from shared discovery and evidence development.

Bellwether Trials Coming Soon

The first bellwether trials are expected in 2025-2026. These test cases will help establish compensation ranges and may lead to broader settlement discussions. Being part of the litigation now ensures your case gets full attention as these important developments unfold.

Compensation Available for Elmiron Vision Damage

Every case is different, but Elmiron victims may recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses for eye exams, treatments, and ongoing vision care.
• Lost wages from reduced work capacity due to vision impairment.
• Future medical costs for continued eye treatment and monitoring.
• Pain and suffering from permanent vision loss and daily life impact.
• Reduced quality of life affecting hobbies, driving, and independence.
• Punitive damages for Janssen's failure to warn patients about risks.

Understanding Your Case Value

Several factors affect potential compensation:

• Duration of Elmiron use: Longer use typically means higher damages.
• Severity of vision damage: Complete vision loss obviously warrants more compensation than mild symptoms.
• Age when damage occurred: Younger patients face decades of living with impaired vision.
• Impact on work and daily activities: Some patients can no longer perform their jobs effectively.
• Need for ongoing care: Regular eye exams and treatments add up over time.

We fight for compensation that reflects the full impact of your vision loss, not just immediate medical bills.

How CohenMalad Can Help Your Elmiron Case

We aren't a settlement mill. With attorneys recognized among the top in the nation and over $1 billion recovered for clients, we're a law firm that fights and wins against major corporations.

What You Can Expect Working with CohenMalad

• Free, no-obligation case evaluation to determine whether you have a strong claim.
• Thorough investigation into your Elmiron use, medical history, and current vision status.
• Collaboration with medical specialists who understand pigmentary maculopathy and can document your symptoms.
• Aggressive pursuit of maximum compensation for your vision loss and ongoing impacts.
• Trial-ready preparation so every case is built to win in court if necessary.

We take on pharmaceutical giants and hold them accountable. If you've suffered vision damage from Elmiron, you need a legal team that won't back down from Johnson & Johnson's army of lawyers.

Our Track Record Against Big Pharma

CohenMalad, LLP has successfully fought pharmaceutical companies in cases involving:

• Dangerous medications that caused serious side effects
• Failed medical devices that harmed patients
• Corporate cover-ups where companies hid known risks
• Mass tort litigation affecting thousands of patients nationwide

We know how these companies operate, and we know how to beat them in court.

The Legal Process for Your Elmiron Lawsuit

Step 1: Free Case Review

We evaluate your Elmiron use, vision problems, and medical records to determine whether you have a valid claim or not. This consultation costs you nothing and creates no obligation.

Step 2: Case Investigation

If you have a case, we gather evidence, including medical records, prescription history, and eye examination results. We work with medical specialists to document the connection between Elmiron and your vision damage.

Step 3: Filing Your Lawsuit

We can file a comprehensive complaint against Janssen Pharmaceuticals detailing your Elmiron use, resulting vision damage, and the company's failure to provide adequate warnings.

Step 4: Discovery and Evidence Development

Through the MDL process, we obtain internal company documents, deposition testimony, and scientific evidence showing what Janssen Pharmaceuticals knew about vision risks and when they knew it.

Step 5: Resolution

We negotiate aggressively for fair compensation or take your case to trial. You receive compensation only after we successfully resolve your case.

Time Limits for Filing Your Elmiron Lawsuit

There's a limited time to file a lawsuit for Elmiron vision damage. Each state has its own statute of limitations, giving you a specific number of years from when you discovered (or should have discovered) the connection between Elmiron and your vision problems.

Why Timing Matters

• Missing deadlines means losing your right to compensation forever.
• Evidence becomes harder to gather as time passes.
• Medical records may be destroyed or become unavailable.
• Witness memories fade, and doctors retire.

The discovery rule may extend your deadline. Since many patients didn't know Elmiron could cause vision damage until recent studies were published, the statute of limitations clock may not have started until you learned about the connection.

Don't wait to find out whether you still have time. Call us today for a free evaluation of your case and your filing deadline.