Is there an Interstitial Cystitis pill?
There are numerous and varied medications prescribed to help IC symptoms, however to date there is only one that is formally designed to combat IC. This medication is Elmiron (Pentosan polysulfate sodium), and it is a FDA (since 1996) approved drug. The exact reason why Elmiron works on IC patients is still speculative, but many researchers and doctors feel that it might help to repair defects that have formed and developed in the bladder lining. Like with almost any medication/drug, Elmiron is not without its side effects, which include hair loss, head aches, liver and gastrointestinal problems. Formal studies of Elmiron have not been carried out on pregnant women, so it is advised to not take Elmiron during pregnancy, unless a physician tells you otherwise. Typically patients are prescribed 100mg (milligrams) of Elmiron to be taken three times a day. Elmiron does not usually take effect on a patient’s bladder/body right away, so patients are advised to continue taking Elmiron for as
