Flomax Side Effects After Cataract Surgery Lead to Calls for Black Box Warning
New research published in The Journal of the American Medical Association indicates that Flomax side effects more than double the risk that older men will suffer serious eye problems as a complication of cataract surgery. An editorial accompanying the study suggests that a “black box” warning should be considered, so that eye surgeons and the public are properly advised of the risk associated with using the drug before cataract surgery.
Flomax is a blockbuster medication which has been heavily promoted in direct-to-consumer television ads, encouraging men who wake up several times during the night, have problems with urinating too often or frequently feel an urgent need to go, to speak with their doctor about receiving the medication, which is used to treat male urinary symptoms due to BPH, also known as an enlarged prostate.
Although it has been known that side effects of Flomax may increase the risk of complications following cataract surgery, new research highlights the extent of the risk, calling for a reassessment of the language used on the warning label, which is buried as a “general precaution.”
The study examined data involving 96,128 men 66 years old and older who had cataract surgery in Canada between 2002 and 2007. Approximately 7.5% of men who were treated with Flomax during the 14 days before surgery developed serious cataract surgery complications, such as retinal detachment, lost lens or inflammation around the eye caused by a condition known as Intraoperative Floppy Eye Syndrome (IFIS). Among men who were not treated with Flomax, only 2.7% experienced similar eye complications.
In the editorial published in the same issue of JAMA, Dr. Alan H. Friedman concluded:
Cataract surgery is the most commonly performed operation in the United States today. With nearly 2 million cataract operations performed in the United States each year, the magnitude of IFIS associated with [Flomax] cannot be underestimated. Although the prescribing information for [Flomax] includes IFIS as a “general precaution,” the data on the risk of this complication should be reassessed to determine whether a “black box” warning should be issued to caution the ophthalmic surgeon and the general public (men in particular) of danger to the eye of taking adrenergic blocking agents before cataract surgery.
FLOMAX LAWSUITS FOR CATARACT SURGERY PROBLEMS
The product liability lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are reviewing this new research and evaluating whether users of Flomax who experienced complications following cataract surgery may be entitled to compensation through a Flomax lawsuit. If you, a friend or family member have suffered severe eye problems and complications that may have been caused by Flomax side effects, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.
