Created: January 1998
Revised: Sept. 1999
Revision: August 2001
by: Diane Manhattan
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FDA Approved for Interstitial Cystitis-USA
Only two medications are approved for the specific treatment of Interstitial Cystitis. DMSO was the first drug approved for IC. It is a bladder instillation and is often the first line of treatment a physician recommends. Elmiron, a bladder coating, is the first oral drug approved for the treatment of IC.
Elmiron
Generic name: Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium
Manufacturer: Baker Norton
Distributor: Baker Cummins Inc / Alza Pharmaceuticals
Clinical Pharmacology:
Low molecular weight heparin-like compound. It has anticoagulant and fibrinolytic effects.
Possible side effects:
Dyspepsia, alopecia, dizziness, skin rash, headache, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain
Related Links & Research Studies
Elmiron Product Information
Elmiron Studies - ICN Research Library
Long-term use of pentosan polysulfate for interstitial cystitis.(1999)
A placebo-controlled study of intravesical pentosanpolysulphate for the treatment of interstitial cystitis.
Availability in other countries:
Country Drug Name Manufacturer
Austria Polyanion Sigmapharm
Punzengruber und Dr H Pichler
Dr H Leystrasse129,124 Veinna, Austria
Canada Elmiron Alza
Italy Fibrase Teofarma
Via F.lli Cervi 5
27100 Valle Salimbene (PV) Italy
Spain Fibrocid Lasar Pharmaceuticals
Germany Fibrezym Bene-Arzeneimittell GmbH
Herterichstrasse,
1 Posfach: 710269
81452 Munich, GermanyFrance Hemoclar Sanofi-Winthrop Pharmaceuticals
So. Africa Tavan SP-54 Hoechst Marion Roussel
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Dimethyl Sulphoxide (DMSO)
Generic name: DMSO (Rimso-50)
Manufacturers::
Edwards Life Sciences
One Edward Way
Irvine CA. 92614
Clinical Pharmacology: Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, muscle relaxant, mast cell stimulator and collagen dissolution.
Possible side effects:
Garlic-like taste that can last up to 72 hours. Transient chemical cystitis, moderately severe discomfort on administration. Usually becomes less prominent with repeated administration.
Relevent Research Studies
DMSO Studies-ICN Research Library
Intravesical dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for interstitial cystitis-a practical approach
DMSO: effect on bladder afferent neurons and nitric oxide release
Dimethyl sulfoxide does not trigger urine histamine release in interstitial cystitis.
An interview with Dr. Stanley Jacob: Discussing DMSO
Availability in other Countries:
Country Drug Name Manufacturer
Canada Rimso unavailable
Canada Kemsol Carter Horner
6600 Kitamat Rd
Mississauga, Ontario
L5N 1L9, Canada
Germany Rheumabene Merckle/Ratiopharm
United Kingdom Rimso-50 Britannia Pharmaceuticals