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Pentosan polysulfate

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Pentosan polysulfate, Elmiron

  • Indications
  1. Interstitial Cystitis
  • Mechanism
  1. Semisynthetic glucosaminoglycan
  • Dosing
  1. Pentosan polysulfate 100 mg PO tid
  • Efficacy
  1. Symptoms improve as much as 50% in controlled trials
  2. Response may not be seen for 3 to 6 months
  • Adverse Effects
  1. Diarrhea
  2. Dyspepsia
  3. Alopecia (reversible)
  4. Headache
  5. Rash
  6. Dizziness
  7. Abdominal Pain
  8. Liver function abnormalities (<4%)
  9. Retinal damage (Pigmentary Maculopathy)
    1. Retinal pigment changes result in Blurred Vision and difficulty in adjusting to dim lighting
    2. Risk increases with prolonged use (25% of patients using Elmiron >15 years)
    3. Dilated Eye Exam is recommended for patients on Elmiron
    4. Pearce (2018) Ophthalm 125(11): 1793-802 [PubMed]
    5. (2018) presc lett 27(2): 10
  • References
  1. Bade (1997) Br J Urol 79:168-71
  2. Parsons (1993) J Urol 150:845-8