Pentosan polysulfate : A review of its use in the relief of bladder pain or discomfort in interstitial cystitis

• Published in: Drugs (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2006-01, Vol.66 (6), p.821-835
• Main Authors: ANDERSON, Vanessa R, PERRY, Caroline M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - adverse effects; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Clinical Trials as Topic; Cystitis, Interstitial - complications; Cystitis, Interstitial - drug therapy; Drug Therapy, Combination; Humans; Medical sciences; Nephrology. Urinary tract diseases; Pelvic Pain - drug therapy; Pelvic Pain - etiology; Pentosan Sulfuric Polyester - adverse effects; Pentosan Sulfuric Polyester - therapeutic use; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Treatment Outcome; Urinary system; Urinary system involvement in other diseases. Miscellaneous; Urinary tract. Prostate gland
• ISSN: 0012-6667; 1179-1950
• DOI: 10.2165/00003495-200666060-00006

Pentosan polysulfate (pentosan polysulfate sodium; ELMIRON), a heparin-like, sulfated polysaccharide, is used to manage bladder pain and discomfort in adults with interstitial cystitis (IC). Preliminary clinical models suggest that pentosan polysulfate repairs damaged glycosaminoglycan (GAG) layers lining the urothelium and in vitro data suggest it may provide an anti-inflammatory effect in patients with IC. Pentosan polysulfate shows beneficial effects in a proportion of patients with IC in terms of the improvement of a patient's overall condition and the relief of pain, and it is a generally well tolerated therapy. It is the only US FDA-approved oral treatment for the relief of bladder pain or discomfort associated with IC, and data support its role as an important option in the treatment of patients with IC.