Using the drug Elmiron for a long-term period can lead to side effects, such as damage to the eyes and blindness. There are also cases of macular degeneration and Pentosan polysulfate maculopathy.
Eye damage side effects
Using the drug Elmiron for a long period of time can lead to a type of eye damage called pigmentary maculopathy. This progressive eye disease causes vision loss and may cause permanent blindness.
According to research, patients who used the drug for longer periods of time had a greater risk of developing this type of ocular toxicity. However, many physicians do not know about this connection.
Researchers at the Emory Eye Center in Atlanta, Georgia, identified a surprising trend. Over a six-year period, they noted that a small number of patients developed a type of macular damage not seen before. They dubbed the condition “novel macular eye damage.”
The study found that a small number of people who took Elmiron had a rare and potentially devastating eye condition. Specifically, researchers found that a quarter of Elmiron users were experiencing significant retinal damage. This is a major cause of blindness.
In the study, researchers found that patients who took Elmiron for more than four years showed a higher risk of developing this type of ocular damage. This is why doctors recommended that people stop using the drug.
Pentosan polysulfate maculopathy
Earlier this year, Emory University researchers reported on a new type of macular eye damage associated with long-term use of Elmiron. In the study, authors used a multimodal imaging technique to identify patients who had a unique constellation of retinal imaging findings. These findings led to the identification of a disease called pigmentary maculopathy. This disease can lead to irreversible vision loss, similar to age-related macular degeneration.
The FDA has updated the warning label for this drug to include information about this new risk.
In the case studies, the patients had used the drug for several years. They had a range of other medical conditions.
The study identified a possible link between long-term use of Elmiron and a rare but serious disease called PPS maculopathy. The disease mimics age-related macular degeneration and other inherited retinal disorders.
Macular degeneration
Several studies have shown that long-term use of Elmiron can cause damage to the retina. This may lead to a progressive eye disease that can result in partial or total loss of vision.
In one study, 6 patients who were taking the drug developed a new type of maculopathy, called pigmentary maculopathy.
Another study showed that Elmiron may be toxic to the retina. These findings led to a series of follow-up studies. The results of these studies are a major concern for the FDA. The organization is urging doctors to reconsider continuing treatment with Elmiron.
Blindness
Using the drug long-term can lead to retinal damage, which can cause blindness. In fact, up to one-fourth of patients taking Elmiron for interstitial cystitis or bladder pain developed vision problems.
Studies have linked the drug to a type of ocular damage called pigmentary maculopathy. The condition affects the macula, the area of the eye that provides sharpest vision. Its symptoms include color blindness, dark spots, blurred vision, and difficulty focusing. This disease is irreversible and may lead to permanent vision loss.
During a study of more than 5,000 patients who had taken Elmiron for 15 years, researchers found that 25% of the users had significant eye damage.
