If you’ve been diagnosed with interstitial cystitis and are taking Elmiron, it’s important to understand the risks of doing so, as well as what your options are in the event you want to stop taking the medication for your pain management.
Elmiron, the only drug used to treat pain associated with the bladder condition mentioned above, is effective at what it is intended to do. Unfortunately, recent studies have concluded there are potentially dangerous, permanent side effects associated with taking the medication. If you’re taking it, you’ll probably want to know what your other options are.
For a medication like Elmiron, there are fewer alternatives than you may like, which we’ll discuss below. With no specific alternative, patients can often be left feeling like the benefits of a dangerous medication outweigh the risks. That, ultimately, is a decision you and your doctor need to make. If, however, you are harmed as a result of taking Elmiron, you could be eligible for significant compensation.
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The Potential Dangers of Taking Elmiron
Elmiron is used to treat the pain associated with interstitial cystitis—a urinary tract system condition that causes abdominal and pelvic pain. This condition mostly affects women and can be chronic or intermittent.
Recent studies have found the use of Elmiron and cause the following conditions:
- Pigmentary maculopathy
- Maculopathy
- Retinopathy
- Scotoma
If you take Elmiron and start to experience difficulty reading, problems with your eyes adjusting to darkness or seeing close objects, dimness, or spotty vision, you should speak with your doctor as soon as possible. They will be able to explain what you need to do and whether it’s possible to take a different medication.
Elmiron Alternatives
Unfortunately for those with interstitial cystitis, Elmiron is the only FDA-approved medication available in the United States to treat the condition. If you have suffered from retinal damage or want to avoid any potential issues, speak directly with your doctor to understand your options.
It’s important to note that there are a number of uncertified websites and vendors claiming to sell alternatives, but none of those have been approved. Speaking with your doctor and making a plan will eliminate the risk of buying dangerous illegal drugs off the internet.
When you speak with your doctor, it’s possible they will discuss alternative oral medications as well as possible therapies. Some of the most common alternatives being used in place of Elmiron currently include the following:
Alternative Oral Medications
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication. Common over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications include ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) and naproxen sodium (Aleve).
- Antihistamines. Allergy medications like loratadine (Claritin) can reduce the urgency to urinate and reduce discomfort and pain.
- Tricyclic antidepressants. Certain tricyclic antidepressant medications, like imipramine (Tofranil), can help reduce bladder pain.
Alternative Therapies
- Nerve stimulation. Nerve stimulation procedures like transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) or sacral nerve stimulation can reduce bladder pain by increasing blood flow to the bladder. As a result, the muscles that control the bladder can strengthen.
- Bladder distention. Bladder distention is done via a surgical procedure called a cystoscopy.
- Bladder instillation. A bladder instillation is a procedure that delivers medications like Rimso-50 or dimethyl sulfoxide directly by a catheter in the bladder.
It’s also possible your doctor could recommend standard physical therapy to alleviate any pain due to muscle tenderness or tissue abnormalities caused by your bladder condition. Your options will depend on the severity of your illness, your quality of life, and what you ultimately feel is best for your situation.
None of the alternatives listed above are as effective as taking Elmiron, but they are safe alternatives while drug companies look for a way to make Elmiron safer.
Get Help From Thomas Law Offices
If you’ve taken Elmiron and have developed a damaging eye condition, you may be able to take legal action for your injuries and losses. At Thomas Law Offices, our dangerous drug attorneys are dedicated to helping injury victims and ensuring their rights are upheld.
Negligent pharmaceutical companies should be held accountable when their products harm patients unexpectedly. Filing a claim against a large corporation can seem intimidating, but your circumstances could put you in line with a class action or mass tort that lets you participate in the legal matter with others who have been similarly harmed.
The sooner you get in touch with our law firm, the better your chances will be of receiving a full and fair monetary award for all that you’ve lost as a result of taking Elmiron. Contact us today for more information.
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