Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below the age of 16 years have not been established.
Interstitial cystitis, or IC, is a chronic condition characterized by recurring discomfort or pain in the bladder and/or pelvic region, along with irritative voiding symptoms (urgency, frequency).1
IC may be caused by a breakdown of the protective lining of the bladder—or glycosaminoglycan layer—that may allow potentially irritating solutes in the urine to reach the cells of the bladder wall.2,3
The presentation of IC is variable-symptoms may include1,2:
Discomfort, pressure, tenderness, or intense pain in bladder and/or pelvic region
Urgency and frequency of urination
Nocturia
Painful intercourse
Often, symptoms of IC mimic those of other conditions. Key clinical findings can help identify IC and distinguish it from other mimicking conditions* 4 :
| Shared Symptoms | Interstitial Cystitis1,2 | Overactive Bladder (OAB)4,5 | Recurrent UTIs4-6 | Endometriosis2,4,5,7 | Vulvodynia4-8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pelvic or abdominal pain | x | x | x | x | |
| Pain during or after sex | x | x | x | ||
| Frequent urination | x | x | x | x | |
| Painful urination | x | x | x | ||
| Waking up at night to urinate | x | x | x | ||
| Pain before menstruation | x | x |
| Interstitial Cystitis1,2 |
|---|
Pelvic or abdominal pain |
Pain during or after sex |
Frequent urination |
Painful urination |
Waking up at night to urinate |
Pain before menstruation |
| Overactive Bladder (OAB)4,5 |
|---|
Frequent urination |
Waking up at night to urinate |
| Recurrent UTIs4-6 |
|---|
Pelvic or abdominal pain |
Frequent urination |
Painful urination |
Waking up at night to urinate |
| Endometriosis2,4,5,7 |
|---|
Pelvic or abdominal pain |
Pain during or after sex |
Frequent urination |
Painful urination |
Pain before menstruation |
| Vulvodynia4-8 |
|---|
Pelvic or abdominal pain |
Pain during or after sex |
*Symptom presentation for each condition may vary from person to person.
References: 1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome. Accessed June 6, 2022. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/interstitial-cystitis-painful-bladder-syndrome 2. Butrick CW. Patients with chronic pelvic pain: endometriosis or interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome? J Soc Laparoendosco Surg. 2007;11(2):182-189. 3. Metts JF. Interstitial cystitis: urgency and frequency syndrome. Am Fam Physician. 2001;64(7):1199-1207. 4. Dell JR, Mokrzycki ML, Jayne CJ. Differentiating interstitial cystitis from similar conditions commonly seen in gynecologic practice. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2009;144(2):105-109. 5. Myers DL, Aguilar VC. Gynecologic manifestations of interstitial cystitis. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2002;45(1):233-241. 6. Dason S, Dason JT, Kapoor A. Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of recurrent urinary tract infection in women. Can Urol Assoc J. 20011(5):316-22. 7. Hummelshoj L, De Graaff A, Dunselman G, et al. Let's talk about sex and endometriosis. J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care. 2014;40(1):8-10. 8. Fariello JY, Moldwin RM. Similarities between interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome and vulvodynia: implications for patient management. Transl Androl Urol. 2015;4(6):643-652. 9. ELMIRON® [Prescribing Information]. Titusville, NJ: Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 10. Hanno PM, Erickson D, Moldwin R, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome: AUA guideline amendment. J Urol. 2015;193(5):1545-1553.
