Oral Medications Used to Treat Interstitial Cystitis

Interstitial Cystitis is a chronic disorder where the bladder is inflamed and has Hunner's ulcers or hemorrhages. People with Interstitial Cystitis typically will experience frequent urination (up to 60 times a day for severe cases), pain and pressure in the lower abdomen, pelvic and vaginal area, and burning upon urination. Because of the pressure, Interstitial Cystitis patients will feel an intense urge to urinate. It will feel as though the bladder is extremely full, but very little urine is expelled. In Interstitial Cystitis patients, the protein (glycoaminoglycan) that protects the lining of the bladder from the toxins in urine has broken down. This in turn causes the bladder irritation and reduces the bladder's capacity to store urine.

The cause or causes of Interstitial Cystitis is unknown and currently there is no cure. The symptoms of Interstitial Cystitis can seem similar to that of a bladder infection, but there is no bacteria found when a urine sample is tested. Interstitial Cystitis is treatable with using either a single medication, or for many patients, using a combination of medications and other therapies. Never try any medical treatment without consulting your physician first.

Elmiron

The most popular prescription medication used to treat Interstitial Cystitis is Elmiron. Elmiron is the only medication approved by the FDA to treat Interstitial Cystitis. Elmiron works by repairing the bladder wall with a protective coating over the inflamed areas. Elmiron may take anywhere from three to six months for the patient to see major results. Unfortunately, a lot of patients will quit taking Elmiron before it has been given a good chance to work because they expect to see immediate results. It took about six months for Elmiron to really work well for me but it was well worth it. I was able to introduce foods and drinks back into my diet that I hadn't been able to tolerate prior to using Elmiron.