Bladder pill can damage retina.
A team of doctors in the US has found that a drug widely prescribed for a bladder condition for decades globally, now appears to be toxic to the retina.
After an initial report last year that Elmiron ( pentosan polysulfate sodium) may be associated with retinal damage, 3 ophthalmologists conducted a review of patients in US..
They found that about 1/4 of patients with significant exposure to Elmiron showed definite signs of eye damage.
This medication toxicity could masquerade as other known retinal conditions, such as age-related macular degeneration or pattern dystrophy.
It's unfortunate. You've a patient with a chronic condition like interstitial cystitis, for which there is no cure and no effective treatment.
They get put on these medications because it's thought to have few side effects and few risks, and no one think about it again. And year after year, the number of pills, they're taking goes up and up, said a researcher.
Interstitial cystitis causes chronic pain in the bladder and pelvis area.
Elmiron is the only FDA approved pill to treat it and is being prescribed in India too for years.
As a mainstay of treatment for decades, hundreds of thousands of people have likely been exposed to the drug.
Last year, a doctor reported from US, that 6 patients who had been taking Elmiron for about 15 years had developed unusual changes in their macula, the central part of the retina responsible for delivering clear, crisp, central vision.
The researchers raised a warning flag that long-term use of Elmiron may damage the retina.
Some ophthalmologists heeded to that warning and looked at their database of patients.
They found 140 patients, who had taken an average of 5,000 pills each over the course of 15 years.
Of those 140 patients, 91 agreed to come in for an exam.
The doctors took detailed images of the back of their eyes.
22 of the 91 patients showed clear signs of drug toxicity.
The rate of toxicity rose with the amount of drug consumed, from 11% of those taking 500-1000gms to 42 % of those taking 1,500 gm or more.
Because it's unclear how much medication is too much. The Dr. recommended patients who show no signs of toxicity be screened for retina damage at least once a year.
For those who do show some signs of damage, he recommended that they speak with their urologists about discontinuing the medication.
If identified early, the damage may be mitigated by stopping the medication, the doctors said.
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After an initial report last year that Elmiron ( pentosan polysulfate sodium) may be associated with retinal damage, 3 ophthalmologists conducted a review of patients in US..
They found that about 1/4 of patients with significant exposure to Elmiron showed definite signs of eye damage.
This medication toxicity could masquerade as other known retinal conditions, such as age-related macular degeneration or pattern dystrophy.
It's unfortunate. You've a patient with a chronic condition like interstitial cystitis, for which there is no cure and no effective treatment.
They get put on these medications because it's thought to have few side effects and few risks, and no one think about it again. And year after year, the number of pills, they're taking goes up and up, said a researcher.
Interstitial cystitis causes chronic pain in the bladder and pelvis area.
Elmiron is the only FDA approved pill to treat it and is being prescribed in India too for years.
As a mainstay of treatment for decades, hundreds of thousands of people have likely been exposed to the drug.
Last year, a doctor reported from US, that 6 patients who had been taking Elmiron for about 15 years had developed unusual changes in their macula, the central part of the retina responsible for delivering clear, crisp, central vision.
The researchers raised a warning flag that long-term use of Elmiron may damage the retina.
Some ophthalmologists heeded to that warning and looked at their database of patients.
They found 140 patients, who had taken an average of 5,000 pills each over the course of 15 years.
Of those 140 patients, 91 agreed to come in for an exam.
The doctors took detailed images of the back of their eyes.
22 of the 91 patients showed clear signs of drug toxicity.
The rate of toxicity rose with the amount of drug consumed, from 11% of those taking 500-1000gms to 42 % of those taking 1,500 gm or more.
Because it's unclear how much medication is too much. The Dr. recommended patients who show no signs of toxicity be screened for retina damage at least once a year.
For those who do show some signs of damage, he recommended that they speak with their urologists about discontinuing the medication.
If identified early, the damage may be mitigated by stopping the medication, the doctors said.
this is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.
https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement
A team of Indian-origin doctors in the US has found that a drug widely prescribed for a bladder cond...
Read more at: https://english.manoramaonline.com/lifestyle/health/2019/10/13/bladder-pill-retina-indian-origin-doctors-us.html
Read more at: https://english.manoramaonline.com/lifestyle/health/2019/10/13/bladder-pill-retina-indian-origin-doctors-us.html
Labels: age-related macular degeneration(AMD), bladder pill, can damage, chronic condition, pattern dystrophy, retina
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