The pentosanpolysulfate sodium is used to relieve symptoms, such as pain and discomfort of interstitial cystitis. It is a DFA-approved drug to treat pain and discomfort. 38% of patients treated with this drug for three months had reported an improvement of the IC/BPS symptoms: patients with a double-blind placebo.
What is this drug about?
Pentosanpolysulfate is also known as Elmiron, used to ease bladder pain and discomfort associated with interstitial cystitis. It is a disease-causing scarring and swelling of the bladder wall. Pentosanpolysulfate is comparable to a type of medicine called low molecular-weight heparins. The drug works by preventing irritation of the bladder walls.
What are IC/BPS symptoms?
ICP/BPS symptoms differ from one person to the other. The main symptoms include:
- Urinary frequency
- Urinary urgency
- Pain
What is interstitial cystitis?
Interstitial cystitis is a bladder syndrome, a condition that consists
- Pelvic pain
- Pressure
- Discomfort
These conditions target the bladder and pelvic region, associated with urgency and urinary frequency.
How does the drug work?
Pentosanpolysulfate sodium is Elmiron, it works on restoring a thin, damaged, or leaky bladder surface. The surface is composed of a coating of mucus that protects the bladder wall from irritating substances and bacteria in the urine. It is believed that the drug functions as a synthetic GAG layer, it has a mechanical action in IC.
Special precautions to follow
Before taking the drug, you must follow these:
- Tell your doctor if you are allergic to the drug
- Tell your doctor what prescription and non-prescription medications, nutritional supplements, herbal products, and vitamins you are taking. Be sure that you mention any of these:
- Anticoagulants such as warfarin
- Aspirin
- Your doctor needs to change the doses prescribed or monitor for potential side effects if any.
- Tell your doctor if you have or never had an aneurysm, ulcers hemophilia, low platelet count, liver or spleen disease, or intestinal blockage.
- Tell your doctor if you suspect pregnancy or planning to become pregnant, or even breastfeeding
The dosage and treatment plan
The usual dosage for IC/BPS patients is prescribed to take 100mg 3x a day, 300 mg per day. Some patients will report symptoms as relieved in 3 to 4 weeks. For others, it takes up to 6 months before they see the improvement until they stop the treatment. But, others urged to continue the therapy for at least six months before they stopped the treatment.
First, the pain subsides but a decrease in urinary frequency takes six to nine months. It may also be required to use other medicines, such as:
- Low-dose tricyclic antidepressants
- Antihistamines
- Elmiron
Is it safe for the pregnancy stage?
Studies have not been performed on pregnant women, the manufacturer will recommend the drug not to be used. The effectiveness and safety of Elmiron use in children are not yet established.
