If you do, in fact, have interstitial cystitis (IC) or think you might have it, it's important to know that it's a treatable medical condition. And with your doctor's help, you can get your symptoms under control. Although there is no known cure for IC, there are treatment options that may bring relief—some more invasive than others. Talk to your doctor about the treatment option that's best for you.

Oral Therapy

Oral therapy is medication that you take by mouth. Typically, oral therapy is more convenient than intravesical therapy.

The longer you take ELMIRON, the better it may work. So it's important to continue your treatment as directed by your doctor. And since symptom improvement is gradual, it's important to keep taking ELMIRON as prescribed by your doctor. If you have not experienced symptom improvement by 6 months of therapy, you should talk to your doctor.

Learn more about using ELMIRON.

The most common side effects were blood in stool, diarrhea, nausea, hair loss, headache, rash, upset stomach, abdominal pain, liver function abnormalities and dizziness. When side effects did occur, they were generally mild and usually did not interfere with continuing treatment.

Please read the ELMIRON Important Safety Information.

Intravesical Therapy

A currently approved agent for intravesical therapy is DMSO. With intravesical therapy, medication is instilled directly into the bladder, so it's a bit more invasive than oral therapy.

In intravesical therapy for IC, the bladder is filled with a solution that is held for varying periods of time, ranging from 15 to 60 minutes, before it is emptied. This procedure is usually conducted in your doctor's office or a hospital setting, and usually with local anesthesia.

Temporary Relief

In addition to traditionally prescribed treatments for IC, some IC patients may find that they experience some degree of temporary symptom relief by making certain diet and lifestyle changes. Learn more about managing and living with IC.

What Not to Do

Because the symptoms of IC are like those of bladder infections, helpful friends may suggest the same treatments that they used for a bacterial urinary tract infection (UTI). Be careful — simple home remedies (such as cranberry juice or various herbs) used for UTIs may actually make your IC condition worse. Your best bet is to seek medical advice from your doctor.

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