how does this medication work? what will it do for me?

pentosan polysulfate is used for the initial and maintenance treatment of interstitial cystitis (an inflammation in the bladder). it works by acting like a natural substance in the wall of the bladder that is needed to prevent the pain and discomfort associated with interstitial cystitis.

this medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. as well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. if you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. it can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

what form(s) does this medication come in?

each white, opaque, hard gelatin capsule, imprinted with "bnp 7600" contains 100 mg of pentosan polysulfate. nonmedicinal ingredients: gelatin, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and titanium dioxide.

how should i use this medication?

the recommended adult dose of pentosan polysulfate is 100 mg three times daily with water, at least one hour before or 2 hours after meals. some people may require 6 to 8 weeks of treatment to achieve relief of symptoms. you may need to take this medication for long periods of time to prevent the return of symptoms.

many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. if your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

it is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. if you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. if you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

who should not take this medication?

do not take this medication if you:

  • are allergic to pentosan polysulfate, its related compounds, or any ingredients of the medication
  • have a personal or family history of eye disease that affects the retina

what side effects are possible with this medication?

many medications can cause side effects. a side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

the side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. if you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

the following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

  • abdominal pain
  • diarrhea
  • dizziness
  • hair loss
  • headache
  • itching
  • nausea
  • rash

although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

  • shortness of breath
  • signs of clotting problems (e.g., unusual nosebleeds, bruising, blood in urine, rectal bleeding, coughing blood, bleeding gums, cuts that don't stop bleeding)
  • skin rash or hives
  • vision changes (difficulty reading, slow adjustment to decreased light, wavy or blurred vision)

stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

  • signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)

some people may experience side effects other than those listed. check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.

are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?

before you begin taking a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. these factors may affect how you should take this medication.

bleeding tendencies: this medication may increase the risk of bleeding for people who are at high risk of this (e.g., those taking medications that increase bleeding risk or who have medical conditions such as bleeding ulcers or diverticulitis). be sure to tell your doctor if you are at increased risk of bleeding before starting this medication.

liver function:  if you have liver problems, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed. your doctor may want to test your liver function regularly with blood tests while you are taking this medication.

pregnancy: the safety of pentosan polysulfate for use by pregnant women has not been established. this medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy.

breast-feeding: it is not known whether pentosan polysulfate passes into breast milk. if you are breast-feeding and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

children: the safety and effectiveness of pentosan polysulfate for children and adolescents younger than 18 years has not been established. its use by this age group is not recommended.

what other drugs could interact with this medication?

there may be an interaction between pentosan polysulfate and any of the following:

  • anticoagulants (e.g., dalteparin, enoxaparin, apixaban, dabigatran, heparin, rivaroxaban, warfarin)
  • antiplatelet medications (e.g., clopidogrel, prasugrel, ticagrelor, ticlopidine)
  • asa (acetylsalicylic acid)
  • dipyridamole
  • non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (nsaids; e.g., diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen)
  • selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (ssris; e.g., citalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline)
  • serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (snris; desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, venlafaxine)
  • vilazodone

if you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

  • stop taking one of the medications,
  • change one of the medications to another,
  • change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
  • leave everything as is.

an interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. also tell them about any supplements you take. since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

all material copyright mediresource inc. 1996 – 2023. terms and conditions of use. the contents herein are for informational purposes only. always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. source: www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/elmiron