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View Full Version : Cytotec? A new therapy for IC?


icnmgrjill
11-16-2004, 11:22 AM
A number of you have asked me to comment on one of our users posts about Cytotec (misoprostol). Norman Smith has reported that his wife has done very well using this medication for her IC. This medication is not approved for IC. It is normally prescribed to help patients who are struggling with stomach irritation from using NSAID's.

One study conducted in Belfast (UK) studied it with IC patients. Here's the abstract.

Clinical Response to an Oral Prostaglandin Analogue in Patients with Interstitial Cystitis
J.D. Kelly, M.R.A. Young, S.R. Johnston, P.F. Keane
Department of Urology, Belfast City Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland
European Urology 1998;34:53-56 (DOI: 10.1159/000019679)

Objective: To assess the efficacy of the oral prostaglandin analogue misoprostol in controlling the symptoms of interstitial cystitis in patients with refractory disease.

Methods: Twenty-five patients were commenced on misoprostol 600 µg daily for 3 months. Patients who responded to therapy were offered treatment for a further 6 months. Assessment of the response was by a voiding log and an interstitial cystitis symptom score.

Results: At 3 months, 14 patients (56%) had significantly improved, and after a further 6 months, 12 patients (48%) had a sustained response. The incidence of adverse drug effects was 64%. Most side effects were minimal, and the response rate in patients who were able to tolerate the drug was 87% at 3 months and 75% at 9 months.

Conclusions: The oral prostaglandin analogue misoprostol is effective in treating the symptoms of interstitial cystitis. It is possible that prostaglandins have a cytoprotective action in the urinary bladder.

I also found another excellent article on this medication, published in 2001 on medscape. Check the references at the end, as it cites three other interesting and somewhat positive research studies done in the 80's and early 90's on bladder involvement. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/409664_print

Because I've never worked with anyone personally who has used this, I can't say much about it. Clearly, Norman feels that it's been wonderful for his wife. that's just one positive report on the ICN that I'm aware of.

The potential side effects are a concern.. specifically that it can cause miscarriage and/or maternal & fetal death. Clearly, if someone is of child bearing age, it's use must be very carefully evaluated first.

Just a thought and, if anyone has any additional information on it or personal testimonials, please let me know.

Jill :)

icnmgrjill
11-18-2004, 01:05 PM
This was a message received from one of our users... that I thought was important to share.. specifically the warnings she received about pregnancy.

I took Voltaren for my arthritis & it made me periodically lose control of my bladder (not fun on top of IC). The doctor theorized that Cytotec would stop that bad side effect, and he was right. Something about prostagladins. I'm not sure how long I've been on Cytotec now, but I think it was pretty new when I started (maybe 12 or 13 years ago?) and I've been on it ever since. Now I take it for the ulcer protection Cytotec didn't do a thing for my IC. Because I was in my 20's when I started, I had to sign a paper that I understood that I was not to get pregnant & that I could die if I did. I don't know if they still make patients do that.