Cytotec

[donnadb40]

Why don't more people on the board take cytotec?? I know that women of childbearing age shouldn't take it, but what about those of us that are 45 or older??? Anyone have any postive OR negative info to share about this drug?? I'm thinking about asking the doc for it because I think that it works similarly to elmiron without the hair loss.

[Cadyfatcat]

I have done extensive research on this drug and am hopeful that it will help. I am a male so I am not subject to any of the really severe side effects. I was just issued a prescription today by my urologist for 200 mcg twice daily. I will keep my status posted.

I also don't understand why more people haven't been trying cytotec, unless you are planning to have a child, most of the side effects are relatively mild especially when you compare it to elmiron. Also, some ICN members have had dramatic life changing success with it. Seems to me like its worth a try and we'll see how it goes.

[SharonA]

Looking forward to reading how you do on this, Alex.

[leelee88]

Please keep us posted on this..

[donnadb40]

Thanks for the reply Alex. I am female but over 40 and definitely finished with having kids so I don't see why I shouldn't give this drug a try! Have to convince my doc to Rx it first! It seems much less horrifying to me than the Elmiron and seems to have less of the ZOMBIE side effects that atarax and elavil have. I wish you great luck with this and please keep us posted!!!

[SoTiredofIC]

Hi All,

I have been taking Cytotec for about a year. While I am not in complete remission, I am thrilled with my results on this drug. If I get a flare, it is not a bad one and it lasts for a day or so instead of a week (or more!). My liquid intake was restricted to water and milk but since I have been on Cytotec, I can drink Diet A&W Root Beer and for New Year's, I had a glass of sparkling wine with no bad effects. And, I can now eat BBQ as long as it is in a vinegar sauce (and I drink some baking soda before eating it).

I have been taking my other IC "Cocktail" drugs for 4 years so I feel certain that the improvement was due to Cytotec. I am a 48-year old female so no problems in that regard. If you go on the Cytotec, you may want to start off for a week or so taking a 1/2 a tablet, I started with the whole thing and had some major uternine cramps.

I take:

Elmiron 300 mg. (2 capsules at night, one in the morning. I actually empty the capsules into a glass of water because the capsule itself gives me a headache)
Elavil 10 mg (at night)
Vistaril 50 mg (at night)
Cytotec 400 mg (2 in the morning, 2 at night)
Bentyl, 10 mg, (1 in the morning, 1 at night)
Tramadol 50 mg (1 in the morning, 1 at night)

Unfortunately, I have GERD (Prevacid 30 mg), slow thyroid (Levoxyl) and high triglycerides (Tricor), so my son freaks out when I take a whole handful of pills and swallow them all at once.

I would at least give Cytotec a shot, as long as you're not planning on becoming a Mommy, then don't see why a doctor would not let you experiment with it. I have a FANTASTIC doctor, he is THE BEST! He is very proactive, listens to me and will work with me on prescribing new medications. He did balk at Cyclosporine though, but after reading about ICLori's problems with it, he did the right thing.

Hope this helps!!! :smile tee

[systitis]

What is Cytotec usually used for?

[SoTiredofIC]

Cytotec is used to reduce stomach acid, and especially to prevent stomach ulcers in patients who have to take daily long-term doses of aspirin, advil, (the NSAIDS pain relievers). It inhibits morning and nightime stomach acid secretion and in animals has protective mucosal (eyes, nasal membranes, bladder) properties.

Causes uterine cramps and some hospitals have actually used it to induce labor.

Don't you love the Internet??? :^D

[glassd18]

I tried it, but didn't give it a fair enough shot I think.

[SoTiredofIC]

I had to take Cytotec for about 3 or 4 months when I started noticing that I felt better and could eat or drink some previously "prohibited" things without a flare cropping up.

When I finally self-diagnosed IC and went to a urologist, I told the doctor what drugs I needed and we found a "cocktail" that works for me. After I had been on Elmiron for about 6 weeks, I started noticing that I felt better, a lot of the pain was reduced.

I have no patience with new drugs, I expect 'em to work immediatly. I guess that's why my Mom is always saying "Patience is a virtue".

Hope Cytotec works for you!!!

[Cadyfatcat]

I stopped taking cytotec today. I took cytotec for two weeks and did not notice any difference, if anything I got a little worse, probably because I couldn't take prelief with some meals that i suspected may be a little on the acidic side, since acid reducers greatly inhibit the action of cytotec.

From my own research on previous posts, those who were helped by cytotec were helped almost immediately...within a week. Therefor, I told myself that I would try cytotec for two weeks to see if it was the magic bullet it proved to be for others. At two weeks and no discernible difference, I am giving it up.

I was taking 200 mcg twice daily for two week's. This is equal to or more than the dose that those who were helped saw differences with. On the upside, I had little to no side effects during the trial.

Didn't work out for me...I will move on. But if I were you, I would say it's worth a try, my urologist was very willing to give it to me even though it's off label and he hadn't heard of it being used for IC before...he said it was rather innocuous.

[Cadyfatcat]

I am going back to elmiron.....I was on it for about 7 months and it really did start helping toward the end. Thats why I went off of it, to see if it was the elmiron or just my PFD getting a lot better and other factors. It wasn't...the elmiron really helped, and while i think MSM helps a little, glucosamine has not seemed to do anything for me.

I am looking forward to starting it again and continuing to improve. I am actually just about to take a pill and go to bed.