ELMIRON® is the only oral interstitial cystitis medication FDA approved to treat the bladder pain and discomfort of IC.

Using ELMIRON®

ELMIRON® is a prescription oral medication that's FDA approved to treat the symptoms of interstitial cystitis (IC). It's important to take ELMIRON® as prescribed by your doctor and to stick with it, because IC symptom improvement will be gradual.

How to Take ELMIRON®

  • Always take ELMIRON® according to the instructions given to you by your doctor. The recommended dosage of ELMIRON® is one capsule, 3 times a day.
  • It is important that you don't stop taking ELMIRON® or reduce your dosage just because you are feeling better or because ELMIRON® is not working right away.
  • Follow any other advice your doctor gives you for managing symptoms — for example, avoiding foods that may make your symptoms worse.

Please keep in mind, ELMIRON® is not the answer for everyone diagnosed with IC, but it does help many people gain and maintain relief from the bladder pain and discomfort associated with IC.

What to Expect

While some patients may notice improvement in as little as 4 weeks, studies show that ELMIRON® improves bladder pain, in many patients, after just
3 months.

Symptom improvement is generally gradual. To help monitor your progress, use an IC Symptom Journal, keep it up to date, and show it to your doctor. If you have not experienced improvement by 6 months of therapy, please talk to your doctor.

Unlike some medications, ELMIRON® does not lose its effectiveness with prolonged, continuous use. In a long-term study, ELMIRON® provided relief for as long as 3 years.

NEXT: How ELMIRON® Works

What is ELMIRON?
ELMIRON® is a prescription medication used to treat the pain and discomfort of interstitial cystitis (IC). It is not known exactly how ELMIRON® works, but it is not a pain medication like aspirin or acetaminophen and therefore must be taken continuously for relief as prescribed by your doctor.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

  • ELMIRON® should not be taken if you have a known hypersensitivity to the drug or similar drugs.
  • ELMIRON® is a weak blood thinner (anticoagulant) which may increase bleeding. Call your doctor if you will be undergoing surgery or if you are taking or will begin taking anticoagulant therapy such as warfarin sodium, heparin, high doses of aspirin, or anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen.
  • Tell your doctor:
    • If you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant.
    • If you have any liver problems.
  • The most common side effects are hair loss, diarrhea, nausea, blood in the stool, headache, rash, upset stomach, abnormal liver function tests, dizziness and bruising.
    • Hair loss, when it occurred, was almost always limited to a single area of the scalp.

Tell your doctor about any side effect that bothers you or does not go away. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see full Product Information for ELMIRON®.

Please read the ELMIRON® Patient leaflet and discuss it with your doctor.

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ELMIRON® is a Registered Trademark of Teva Branded Pharmaceutical Products R&D, Inc, under license to Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

This information is intended for use by our customers, patients and healthcare professionals in the United States only. Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., recognizes that the Internet is a global communications medium; however, laws, regulatory requirements and medical practices for pharmaceutical products vary from country to country. The Full Product  Information included here may not be appropriate for use outside the United States.  
Last modified December 30, 2010