Can the beneficial effects to an IC sufferer of taking Amitriptyline wear off over a sustained period of taking the medication (over 2 years)?
Amitriptyline is an antidepressant medication which, in low doses, is useful in relieving chronic pain conditions such as IC. About 35% of IC sufferers will obtain symptomatic relief from Amitriptyline. However, the body develops a tolerance to the drug over time in which case it may be necessary to increase the dose a little or to switch to another treatment. Mr Paul Irwin MCh FRCSI(Urol) Go back to the top of the page My Consultant recently suggested that I may have some form of chemical cystitis. Can you tell me any more about this? My symptoms are pain in the bladder and I am being treated with Dothiopin which together with the management of diet has greatly reduced the pain. Chemical cystitis is similar to ‘normal bacterial’ cystitis except that it is induced. The causative agent is a chemical agent such as DMSO, cyclophosphamide (an agent used in the treatment of various cancers or auto-immune disorders), BCG and other various chemicals of drugs. Mr Henry Lewi FRCS Go back to the
