Flomax Lawsuit
Last Updated: May 2009 • 3 Comments
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Side effects of Flomax have been shown to double the risk of older men developing a serious eye complications after cataract surgery, known as Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS).
STATUS OF FLOMAX LAWSUITS: The potential for litigation over Flomax eye problems after cataract surgery is being reviewed and evaluated, as some experts have suggested that stronger warnings should be provided about the risk.
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MANUFACTURER: Boehringer Ingelheim
OVERVIEW: Flomax (tamulosin) is a prescription medication used to treat urinary problems in men with enlarged prostates. Since it was introduced in 1997, it has become a widely used drug, as nearly three-quarters of men are affected by an enlarged prostate by the age of 70.
Flomax is a member of a family of drugs called alpha-adrenergic blockers, which work by relaxing veins and arteries so that blood can flow easily by them. It is used primarily to address urination difficulties in men, such as waking up during the night, frequent urination and urgent needs to urinate caused by a condition known as BPH.
However, studies have found that Flomax may also relax smooth muscles in the eye, potentially resulting in complications after cataract surgery among older men.
FLOMAX SIDE EFFECTS AFTER CATARACT SURGERY: The use of Flomax before cataract surgery has been known to increase the risk of an eye complication known as Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS). However, research published in The Journal of the American Medical Association in May 2009 indicated that the risk may be more substantial than previously indicated by the manufacturer.
Approximately 2 million cataract surgeries are performed each year in the United States, and most involve older individuals.
Research has found that when taken within two weeks of cataract surgery, Flomax side effects more than double the risk of men over 65 developing Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome. Although the complications were most severe when taken within two weeks of cataract surgery, the Flomax eye problems have been seen among patients who stopped using the medication up to a year before surgery.
INTRAOPERATIVE FLOPPY IRIS SYNDROME: Information about the potential risk of Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome is currently contained in the prescription information foro Flomax, under “General Precautions.” However, experts have suggested that stronger warnings may be necessary to protect the public from the potential risk.
Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS) can cause poor papillary dilation and iris prolapse. It could result in retinal detachment, loss of lens fragments into the eye or eye inflammation.
Comment by kerri on 13 June 2009:
I am a female taking Flomax for a neurogenic bladder due to spinal-cord injury. Am I at risk for this flpooy iris syndrome?? Why would my female physician recommend this drug when the black box warns “not to be taken by women”. If something goes wrong will I be blamed? My periods stopped abruptly and never returned when I began this drug. The doctors chalked it up to age, although I had no symptoms of menopause prior.
Comment by Peter on 9 July 2009:
Had taken Flomax a good while back but had stopped months ago. Advised the eye surgeon of the Flomax. What should have been a simple 20-30 minute cataract surgery on my right eye wound up being almost 2 hours due to the Iris being floppy.
Now it’s almost 3 weeks after surgery, and vision results are still in question.
Comment by Roger on 29 July 2009:
I have been taking Flomax For over 11 years. I had a cataract / lens implant operation on Sept 16,2003 Sept 17 I had the first of many post op visits, 4 to be exact, before my retina detached and Infection had set in. Another Dr within the same practice reattached the retina.The 2nd Dr said there was extensive repair work that he had to do. 5 more post op visits were made between Oct 1 and Oct 30, 2003. On Oct 28 the retina detached again. I finally went to a “retina’ specialist and he pasted what was left of the retina back to the eye. I have 15% of my original vision left after the original cataract operation . These operations were done Michigan.