Have you heard of the drug Elmiron? It was primarily prescribed to patients diagnosed with interstitial cystitis, a bladder disorder where the lining of the bladder becomes irritated by substances that find their way into the urine. Elmiron is also known to be an extremely weak blood thinner. Due to its blood thinning abilities, patients taking this drug sometimes experienced bruising throughout their body and at times, bleeding gums. Not everyone responded well to Elmiron. It’s important to know what side effects it causes and if you have any contraindications your doctor should be concerned with.
Mild to Moderate Side Effects
Elmiron is known to have specific side effects. Some of the most common include:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Stomach upset
- Abdominal pain
- Headache
- Hair loss
Most are very mild and can be treated with over-the-counter medications. Some may be more moderate. If side effects become severe, you must report them to your doctor immediately.
Document Any Side Effects or “Incidents”
When you first start taking Elmiron (or any medication), you need to document the results. If you feel better, write it down. Take notes to describe what is happening. If you notice any unpleasant side effects, write them down as well. Include as many details as possible. It’s essential to include the duration of the side effects and any physical reactions. Keep all your notes as organized as possible and make sure that your doctor gets all the information. Now that you are aware of the possible side effects, pay attention to those specifically before you suffer needlessly.
Know When to See a Doctor
Most side effects are manageable with rest and over-the-counter medications. If the reactions become too severe or you are experiencing things you haven’t in the past, notify your doctor immediately. If the side effects reach a level of severity that you can no longer tolerate, go to the emergency room as soon as possible. Do not wait to seek medical attention if you begin to feel as if you are no longer in control of your symptoms.
Is the Problem Severe Enough to File a Claim?
Having a severe medical reaction to a medication can be devastating. If side effects are severe enough that they lead to long-term health concerns, you may want to file a lawsuit or try to become a member of a class action lawsuit along with others who have had a similar experience. In order for you to reach this point, you will need to be able to prove medically that you have received devastating or irreversible injuries as a direct result of using Elmiron. This means along with documenting symptoms, that you go to your doctor and/or emergency doctor to asked for relief, consider alternative treatments and document your symptoms.
People who have experienced an Elmiron dangerous drug injury have options when it comes to a personal injury claim. If you are experiencing continued health problems that were directly caused by the use of Elmiron, contact a lawyer immediately. You will need to provide substantial medical proof to verify your claim. Once the lawyer has this information, they will be able to build your claim and fight for your right to compensation. If you believe you have a possible claim, don’t wait to file. There are deadlines that must be met.