Pentosan Polysulfate

1 medicine

Pentosan polysulfate is used to relieve bladder pain and urgency in interstitial cystitis. Long-term use has been linked to a slowly progressive eye disease called pigmentary maculopathy that can cause permanent vision loss, so regular eye examinations are essential.

Elmiron

Pentosan polysulfate

100mg

Elmiron is a bladder medication containing Pentosan polysulfate, available as 100mg tablets.

from $4.25 / tablet View

Key facts

  • Pentosan polysulfate is a bladder-lining agent used to ease the pain and urgency of interstitial cystitis, also called bladder pain syndrome.
  • It is taken by mouth, and improvement can take several months to become noticeable.
  • Long-term use, especially at higher cumulative doses over several years, has been linked to pigmentary maculopathy, a slowly progressive eye condition that can cause permanent vision loss; a baseline eye exam before starting and regular follow-up exams are recommended.
  • Seek prompt medical review for any new difficulty reading, trouble adjusting to dim light, or blurred vision.

What pentosan polysulfate treats

Pentosan polysulfate treats interstitial cystitis, a chronic condition causing bladder pain, pressure and urinary urgency or frequency without infection. It is used when symptoms have not responded well to simpler measures.

How pentosan polysulfate works

The inner lining of the bladder is normally coated by a thin layer that protects it from substances in urine. In interstitial cystitis this layer may be damaged. Pentosan polysulfate is thought to help rebuild this protective coating on the bladder wall, reducing the irritation that causes pain and urgency.

Before you take it

  • Tell your prescriber if you have a history of retinal or macular disease, since pentosan polysulfate has been linked to a maculopathy that can resemble age-related changes and may be mistaken for them.
  • Tell your prescriber about any bleeding disorder or if you take blood thinners, since pentosan polysulfate has mild anticoagulant activity and can increase bleeding risk.
  • Tell your prescriber if you have liver disease, since abnormal liver tests have been reported.
  • Discuss the medicine with your prescriber if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, since safety data are limited.

Side effects

Common effects include stomach upset, diarrhoea, headache and hair thinning.

Seek urgent medical care for:

  • New blurred vision, difficulty adjusting to dim light, or trouble reading.
  • Unusual bruising or bleeding, including from the gums or nose.
  • Swelling of the face or throat, or difficulty breathing.

Safety essentials

  • Have a baseline eye examination before starting and repeat exams periodically during long-term treatment; pigmentary maculopathy can progress silently before vision changes are noticed and may not fully reverse after stopping.
  • Report any change in vision to a doctor or eye specialist promptly rather than waiting for a routine appointment.
  • Tell any doctor prescribing a blood thinner or planning surgery that you take pentosan polysulfate.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.