英文药名: Elmiron (Pentosan Polysulphate Sodium Capsules)

中文药名: 爱泌罗(戊糖多硫酸钠胶囊)

药品名称

中文商品名：爱泌罗
英文商品名：Elmiron
生产厂家
Janssen-Ortho

药品简介

Elmiron（pentosan polysulfate sodium、爱泌罗、戊糖多硫酸钠）是一种口服用药，能修补受损的，薄的，或是“漏洞的”膀胱表面。这些表面（氨基葡萄聚醣或是GAG层）是由一层黏膜所组成，能保护膀胱壁免被尿液的细菌和腐蚀物感染。
Elmiron具有人工GAG层的功能，但是它在IC的机械性功能还不为所知。
1996年的秋天，FDA当局批准了Elmiron的销售市场，Elmiron成了第一个合法的专治IC的疼痛及不舒适的口服用药。
临床研究: 有38%的病患在接受Elmiron治疗三个月后，他们的IC徵状有显著的进展。在公开测试中，有61%的病患的病情证实有进展。
治疗计划: 建议IC病患每天服用Elmiron三次，每次服用100毫克，总共是一天300毫克。
Elmiron须服用二到四个月后才能见效，但是病患最好是持续个至少六个月的治疗才停止。疼痛首先减轻，但是通常需要六到九个月的舒缓期。
适应症

主要用於治疗间质性膀胱炎引起之膀胱疼痛。
用法用量

请遵照医师或药师指示服药，一般建议空腹服用(饭前至少1小时或饭后2小时)。
若忘记服药,则于想起时尽快服用；如果一天服药超过两次以上，若距离下次服药时间少於4小时，则不需要补服，按原时间服用即可，切勿一次服用两倍剂量。
任何疑问，请遵医嘱！
副作用

Elmiron的副作用很小，只限于起先的小小的肠胃障碍。一些病患也有掉头发的迹象，但这可经停止用药来制止。没有研究报告指出Elmiron和其他用药有负面的作用。在有控制因素的测试中，Elmiron不比安慰剂有更多的负面的作用。
注意事项

1. 若有在使用阿司匹林或其他抗凝血剂如heparin及Coumadin，用此药前请告知医师。
2. 在手术及牙科处置前，请告知医师有在服用此药。
3. 此药有抗凝血效果，因此可能会延长伤口出血时间。
4. 请将本剂连同药袋放置於室温之阴凉干燥处避光储存，请勿冷藏或冷冻。请勿放在孩童可以取得的场所。
5. 服用此药期间如需服用其它药品时，请主动告诉您的医师或药师。
此药品可能引起的副作用及处理方式：若症状持续数日或严重时，请停药并立即就医或与医师连络。
1. 可能发生落发，胃部不适，消化不良、恶心，轻微腹痛或腹泻等副作用。
2. 当您发生下列症状时，请与您的医师联络：鼻子或牙龈出血，咳血，血便或黑便，吐血或呕吐物中有黑色血块，严重胃痛，不停的腹泻，不正常的月经大量出血，无法停止的伤口出血，皮肤容易瘀青。
怀孕，哺乳或儿童

如果您准备怀孕或已怀孕，应告知并与您的医师讨论。本药目前尚无使用于授乳妇女的资料，使用前请先询问您的医师或药师。怀孕：由於怀孕女性在这方面没有足够及良好控制的研究，不建议孕妇使用该?品。
儿童的用药安全及有效性也还没证实。

间质性膀胱炎的治疗新药-戊糖多硫酸钠（Elmiron爱泌罗）-间质性膀胱炎

间质性膀胱炎常产生于中年妇女，其特点紧张是膀胱壁的纤维化。
并伴有膀胱容量的裁减，以尿频、尿急、膀胱区胀痛为其紧张症状。

【病因学】

患者尿液均平常，传染并非膀胱壁纤维化的紧张病因，有学者觉得盆腔外科手术或传染产生的淋巴管阻塞是其病因，而很多患者异国如许的病史。
亦有学者发起是因为血栓静脉炎伴膀胱或骨盆内脏器急性传染，或因为精神激昂产生长期小动脉的痉挛所致，还年夜略与内分泌身分有。

如今，年夜量的证据觉得间质性膀胱炎是一种自体免疫胶原性疾病。
Oravisto等探讨了54例该病女性患者，发觉85%患者中有抗核抗体，且有相当数量的患者具有反响素型的过敏反响或对药物的超敏性。
这可以经过议定对肾上腺皮质激素治疗高敏可以获得解释。
如今，对肥年夜细胞和膀胱表面氨基酸糖甙在间质性膀胱炎中的效用受到注意，一些探讨人员正脱手进行这方面的探讨。

【病理变化】

在病理学上的发觉膀胱壁的深层纤维化，使其容量裁减，偶然裁减相当明显。
膀胱粘膜变薄，这在膀胱舒缩最年夜部位最为明显，偶然还可见到小的溃疡或裂隙。
在某些紧张病例，因为膀胱输尿管连接处受损，可产生膀胱输尿管返流，乃至产生输尿管肾积水及肾盂肾炎。
在显微镜下膀胱粘膜变薄，乃至剥脱，固有层中毛细血管常充血伴有炎症反响存在，肌层中纤维构造增生明显，淋巴管膨胀。
并有淋巴细胞浸润和肥年夜细胞渗入渗出。

【临床表现】

对中年妇女呈现紧张尿频，尿急及夜尿增多伴耻骨上方膀胱区胀痛而尿查抄平常者应想到间质性膀胱炎。

(1)症状：
患者常有长期进行性尿频、尿急和夜尿增多，在膀胱充及时耻骨上区难过悲伤明显，偶然亦可呈现尿道及会阴部难过悲伤，在排尿后获得缓解，血尿偶可呈现，在膀胱过充充实膨胀时明显，有的患者在病史中年夜略有过敏性疾患。

(2)体征：
临床查抄平常平常，有的患者可呈现耻骨上部触痛，在女性患者阴道前壁触诊时可有膀胱区触痛感。

(3)实行室查抄：
患者尿老例年夜都平常，可有血尿呈现，肾效用查抄除非在膀胱纤维化导致膀胱输尿管返流或阻塞时才有变化。

(4)发射学查抄：
分泌性尿路造影平常无反常，归并返流时在造影片上可见肾盂积水、膀胱容量裁减表现。

(5)东西查抄：
膀胱镜查抄是诊断间质性膀胱炎的紧张方法，因为膀胱容量缩小，患者甚为难过，在施行液体膀胱膨胀后可见膀胱顶部小片状瘀斑、出血、有的可见到疤痕、裂隙或渗血。

【并发症】

可并发输尿管进行性狭窄、返流及随之成长的肾积水表现。

【辨别诊断】

膀胱结核也可表现为真性溃疡，常累及结核肾侧输尿管口四周，可有脓尿呈现，尿查抄可找到结核杆菌，泌尿系造影可呈现肾结核的典范变化。
寄生虫病引起的膀胱溃疡雷同于间质性膀胱炎的表现，平常男性多发，根据尿中找到虫卵或典范的膀胱病理特征可作出诊断。
而非特异性膀胱炎则很少有膀胱溃疡呈现，尿中常见脓细胞及传染菌，抗生素治疗很效。

【治疗方案】

采取平常性治疗、膀胱水囊膨胀、针灸和手术治疗等．其疗效不一。
如今．药物治疗渐渐兴起，紧张有口服药物和膀胱药物贯注。
如今治疗紧张采取非手术方法以缓解症状，改进糊口生涯质量，如膀胱水压膨胀、口服药物、膀胱药物贯注、神经刺激等。
而每一种治疗方法并非适用扫数的患者。
在非手术治疗无效时，可思虑采取外科治疗，经尿道电切得当于溃疡型IC，近期结果精良，但易复发，而膀胱扩年夜术、膀胱全切术创伤年夜，应谨慎选择［5］。
鉴于IC病因的多样性、纷乱性，综合治疗、联适用药的结果年夜略更好。
综合以上因为，本组病例选用几种非手术疗法互助治疗。
上皮通透性变化是IC炎症与难过悲伤症状的因为及年夜略机制，肝素对膀胱GAGs层有保卫效用，从而缓解症状。
近来探讨表明膀胱内贯注二甲基亚砜和肝素可以抑制膀胱构造中细胞内ATP向细胞外的释放，同时也制止了ATP对感触神担当体(如P2X3)的激活，到达缓解难过悲伤的效用，且肝素的效用强于二甲亚砜［6］。
而本组病例中亦采取二者协同用药治疗2例，无明显副效用，无紧张并发症，耐受性好，疗效维持时候较长。

提醒二甲亚砜互助肝素膀胱贯注可作为IC治疗的一种方法。

西医首选抗生素治疗。
如磺胺甲基异口恶唑(SMZ)2.0g甲氧苄氨嘧啶(TMP)0.4g
，碳酸氢钠1.0g，一次顿服；或复方新诺明5片或羟氨苄青霉素3.0g，或甲氧苄氨嘧啶4 00mg顿服，尽管西药见效快，可是毕竟化学药品对会人体产生毒副效用，更简单产生耐药性，易反复。
比拟之下，年夜复方道地取材的当代中药治疗间质性膀胱炎则更加有效而科学。

中药治疗应选择以清热解毒，利湿通淋为主，辅以补肾固本，活血化瘀，扶正祛邪，进步机体免疫力为组方之法，选用道地优质中草药精制而成的年夜复方当代中药如银花泌炎灵片等。
能有效治疗慢性肾盂肾炎；慢性肾盂肾炎慢性爆发；膀胱炎；慢性膀胱炎等泌尿系传染疾病。
效用主治热淋下焦湿热证，对尿频、尿慢、尿涩痛、尿短赤、尿淋沥，尿赤黄、腰痛、腹胀痛等疗效明显。
泌尿系传染常见致病菌有金葡菌，而因为金葡菌的耐药率高达62％，使得西药抗生素以及部分中药对该菌引起传染的治疗束手无策。
银花泌炎灵片属于纯天然植物道地取材年夜复方中成药，以“清热解毒之冠”而著称的道地药材金银花为君药配伍，紧张成份共计十味宝贵药材，利用金银花、半枝莲、扁蓄、瞿麦、石韦、川木通、车前子、淡竹叶、桑寄生、灯心草的多靶点协同效用，对金葡菌杀菌活性明显进步，对金葡菌灵活度及抑菌结果更强。
银花泌炎灵片临床治疗金葡菌引起的泌尿系传染疗效更明显，效用更巩固。
中药治疗具有标本同治、攻补兼施的特点，富裕表现了死板中医表面“七分治，三分养”的治疗特色，能有效巩固疗效，低落膀胱炎复发。
经吉林省中病院、吉林省病院等多家年夜型机构临床验证总有效果达93.6%的明显疗效，是治疗泌尿系传染疾病的抱负中成药。
别的，临床验证银花泌炎灵片应用八正散加减之法，治疗细菌性膀胱炎亦有良效。
      
Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium
Elmiron® Capsule愛泌羅®膠囊
身分及性狀
Pentosan polysulfate
sodium為半合成產品，類似heparin之年夜分子碳水化合物，其化性和結構類似glycosaminoglycans。
Elmiron®為白色不透明的硬膠囊，內含100毫克pentosan polysulfate sodium、微結晶纖維和硬脂酸鎂。
            
效用
Pentosan polysulfate
sodium具有抗凝血及纖維蛋白消融的结果，其對間質性膀胱炎的效用機轉並不明白，有一說是其可扮演人造GAG層（glycosaminoglycan）的角色，增加膀胱壁的抗附著表面或是滑度，減少尿液內毒性物質對膀胱的效用。
            
藥物動力學
年夜約投與劑量的3%被吸取。
紧张分佈於生殖泌尿道的上皮細胞，小量分佈於肝臟、脾臟、肺臟、皮膚、骨膜和骨髓。
68%於肝臟及脾臟進行去硫化效用，清除半衰期為4.8小時，主由尿液清除。
            
適應症
清除間質性膀胱炎引起的膀胱难过悲伤或不適之症狀。
            
不良反應
紧张副效用為禿頭（4%）、腹瀉（4%）、噁心（4%）、消化不良（2%）、腹痛（2%）、頭痛（3%）、皮疹（3%）、肝效用異常（1%）及頭暈（1%）等。
其他副效用（<1%）有貧血、PT上升、PTT上升、白血球減少、血小板減少、光灵活、咽炎、鼻炎、鼻出血、呼吸困難、結膜炎、耳鳴、弱視、視神經炎及視網膜出血等。
            
注意事項
1.Elmiron年夜略引發出血問題，在進行任何手術前，病人須告知醫師正服用此藥。

2.開始治療前及治療期間，每半年應按期檢查肝效用。

禁忌
已知對此藥物、化學結構相關的化合物或賦形劑過敏的病患不可利用。
            
交互效用
如今沒有和其他藥物有明顯的交互效用，可是在與其他抗凝血藥物或是水楊酸類藥品併用時，年夜略增加出血的危險性。
            
劑量及用法
每天服用三次，每次100毫克，起码飯前1小時或飯後2小時互助開水服下。
            
儲存
保存於室溫15-30℃。
            
參考資料
1.The circular from the manufacturer of Elmiron&reg;.
2.PDR&reg; Electronic Library, Thomson MICROMEDEX, Greenwood Village,
Colorado (Vol. 120, expires 6/2004).
3.DRUGDEX&reg; System. Thomson MICROMEDEX, Greenwood Village, Colorado (Vol. 120, expires 6/2004).
4.Sweetman S (Ed), Martindale: the Complete Drug Reference. London:
Pharmaceutical Press. Electronic version, MICROMEDEX, Greenwood
Village, Colorado, Edition expires 6/2004.
5.間質性膀胱炎資訊網, www.ictaiwan.com.
6.Bouchelouche K. Nordling J. Recent developments in the management
of interstitial cystitis. Current Opinion in Urology 2003; 13(4):309-13.

本藥品中文仿單部份內容如下：

適應症：

利用於因間質性膀胱炎引起的膀胱难过悲伤或不適的清除。

注　意：

1.年夜略會引發出血問題，需注意PT和PTT上升（<1%）。

2.治療前後的每半年應按期抽血檢查肝效用。

劑　量：
每天服用三次，每次100毫克。

Elmiron（pentosan polysulfate sodium、爱泌罗、戊糖多硫酸钠）是一种口服用药，能修补受损的，薄的，或是“弊端的”膀胱表面。
这些表面（氨基葡萄聚醣或是GAG层）是由一层黏膜所构成，能保卫膀胱壁免被尿液的细菌和腐化物传染。
Elmiron具有人造GAG层的效用，可是它在IC的机器性效用还不为所知。

临床探讨
有三十八%的病患在接纳Elmiron治疗三个月后，他们的IC徵状有明显的进展。
在果然测试中，有六十一%的病患的病情证实有进展。

治疗筹划
发起IC病患每天服用Elmiron三次，每次服用一百毫克，总共是一天三百毫克。

Elmiron须服用二到四个月后才华见效，可是病患最好是连续个起码六个月的治疗才中断。

难过悲伤最终裁减，可是凡是必要六到九个月的舒改期。

副效用：
Elmiron的副效用很小，只限於起初的小小的肠胃障碍。
一些病患也有失落头髮的跡象，但这可经中断用药来禁止。
异国探讨报告指出Elmiron和其他用药有负面的效用。
在有把握身分的测试中，Elmiron不比安慰剂有更多的负面的效用。

可得性
1996年的秋天，FDA当局承诺了Elmiron的销售市场，Elmiron成了第一个合法的专治IC的难过悲伤及不安逸的口服用药。

你年夜略是你的医师可从以下获得更多Elmiron的资讯：

很多药局都有Elmiron的受卖。
如果你的药局异国了Elmiron的存货，你的配药师也可打以下的德律风：
1-888-Elmiron
怀孕：
由於怀孕女性在这方面异国充足及精良把握的探讨，製造商就不发起妊妇利用该產品。
孩子的cystistat用药安定及有效性也还没证实。

Oral treatment (Elmiron) and in the treatment of bladder
-------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
Although with the patient, the media, physicians and scientists for interstitial cystitis urinary cognitive improvement in interstitial cystitis is also growing in popularity, but its cause is still unclear. However, there is a consensus that the disease is not only a single exclusive cause, but a syndrome, like, a series of simultaneous signs or symptoms of the common characteristics of bladder inflammation caused by a variety of stimuli phenomenon, these stimuli, including infection, inflammation, mechanical, sensitive, autoimmune, environmental, neurological, or other. This cause of interstitial cystitis treatment of cognitive measures to combat the lack of will to find, and can not find the exclusive cure. The same, no prediction of natural history and lack of subjective measurement methods and disease signs, so that the disease had a lot of pharmaceutical research problems.

Oral agents are the treatment of interstitial cystitis in the necessary equipment, but due to many reasons, this may not be the ideal therapy. Most effective drugs from urine, which will reduce the effectiveness of drugs in the human body and medicine sustainability. With oral therapy, there will be unwanted side effects, so often, and antihistamines, antidepressants, pain treatment, and treatment with steroids. At the same time, individuals adapt to different pharmacological, especially in the absorption, metabolism, and urinary tract excluded, these will affect the expected efficacy.

Solve a lot of bladder instillation therapy of oral medication, is the major interstitial cystitis therapy. The benefits of treatment within the bladder is a high concentration directly into the diseased organs, but also that the very poor absorption of systemic side effects bladder is very small. These features will ensure the maximum therapeutic benefit, but also directly at the vital treatment. Direct drug treatment within the bladder, there are bad places, such as the incidence of urinary catheter, the risk of urethritis, a heavier burden of medical expenses (such as doctor's visits, the expense of working hours, catheter costs, lubricants), and some even lead to temporary cystitis (bladder irritation and bleeding increase the phenomenon).

Oral treatment
Drugs, including sodium pentosan polysulfate (Elmiron) Introduction.

Sodium pentosan polysulfate (Elmiron)
Elmiron is the only recognized by the FDA to relieve bladder pain and discomfort of interstitial cystitis symptoms of oral medication. Sandia song City Lowell Parsons, MD was the first penetration of a protective layer made of bladder, GAG layer can cause damage to the pathogenesis of interstitial cystitis. This is closely linked with GAG layer and moist layer of mucous membrane, cortical cells in the bladder lumen surface layer of anti-stick, and this defense in the urine of bladder foreign and harmful bacteria and toxic media help. Without this layer, inside the stimulus urine through the urethra into the deeper skin penetration of the bladder wall. This will lead to tissue sensitivity, and injury, even to the particles caused by the role of mast cells, inflammatory cells and the release of reflection to enhance cytokine and other inflammatory mediators, in addition to sensory nerve depolarization phenomenon. These phenomena can lead to urinary frequency, urgency, and pain symptoms.

In an attempt to repair the damage which an artificial oral mucosa drugs highly vulcanized polysaccharide (sodium pentosan polusulfate or Elmiron) is selected.

In 1993, Parsons made a three-month-dimensional, two-oriented, with a placebo-controlled study of factors (148 patients), in which 38% of patients received Elmiron treatment, resulting in more than 50% of patients reduce the risk of the phenomenon of pain there, only 18% of patients not only placebo-controlled. Many patients are those of the traditional treatment methods, such as expansion of water, DMSO and Clorpactin, are ineffective group.

This study leads to an extension of the various studies and tests (including several years of voluntary treatment program under the Elmiron data collected). Elmiron in 1996 was recognized by the FDA to require safety dose three times a day, once 100mg, one hour before meals or two hours after a meal. Many patients feel that high doses may accelerate the progress of the symptoms is more suitable and effective. I try to use when beginning a dose of 200mg twice a day, remove the noon of that dose, which involves the patient's capacity problem. Recently, guided by the Bureau of Alza's drug test is going on eight months of the fourth different Elmiron daily dose: 300mg, 600mg and 900mg comparison of efficacy. Hope that this study can detect the most appropriate Elmiron dose and high dose safe dose is. The results show a use Elmiron, patients may need a few months it has a response time of fishes. I have some patients will take eight to twelve months time to bear fruit. Once a response, as long as patients continue taking Elmiron, efficacy will be sustainable for a long time. Many of my patients six to twelve months after the ability to reduce the dose reduced to 100mg daily to 200mg, and there is no loss of efficacy, there is no recurrence of symptoms.

Elmiron success of the experiment has been done within the bladder to reduce the number of patients treated, even if this type of therapy remains an important therapy. I personally feel that Elmiron should be first-line treatment for patients, because it represents the only effective repair damage (GAG layer) of the therapy, interstitial cystitis, which is one of the symptoms. All other treatments are non-special, and can not be effective for the middle of interstitial cystitis problem or cause. I want to emphasize that I do not believe the damage to the GAG ​​layer is the main reason for interstitial cystitis. In contrast, I believe this is the first of the excitation mechanism has yet to clear off the second phase of the extension or "downhill" development.

Most people are able to tolerate Elmiron efficacy, only one to four percent of people have reported side effects (1986 data, total more than 2,800 patients with interstitial cystitis). Mild or temporary include: nausea, diarrhea, headache, rash, stomach problems or pain, lethargy, abnormal liver function, and hair. In 97% of patients in which hair, hair falling only a small twist, but stop treatment if it can stop hair loss phenomenon. The drug quite expensive, about a month to $ 200.

For those who can not tolerate and can not supply Elmiron patients can have the same repair other damaged GAG layer substitutes, such as coagulation factors within the system, liver and bladder, and hyaluronic acid (Cystistat), which later the title, including the treatment of bladder The following will be mentioned in detail. Counter sale of oral Elmiron alternatives are Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate, is a daily dose of 1000 to 1500mg. Although the latter has not been acknowledged by, but the principle, it can still help repair the mucous layer or GAG layer. Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate is often used to repair degenerative arthritis of the articular cartilage at the use.
Pentosan
4英文商品名：
Elmiron   
4中文商品名：
爱泌罗
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ELMIRON® is the only oral medication that's FDA approved to treat the pain or discomfort of interstitial cystitis (IC)

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

ELMIRON(pentosan polysulfate sodium) is indicated for the relief of bladder pain or discomfort associated with interstitial cystitis.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

ELMIRON(pentosan polysulfate sodium) is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the drug, structurally related compounds, or excipients.

WARNINGS

None.

ELMIRON® has been shown to be generally well-tolerated. 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. Hair loss, when it occurred, was almost always limited to a single area of the scalp, and it grew back when ELMIRON® was discontinued.

ELMIRON® is a weak anticoagulant (blood thinner), which may increase bleeding.

Elmiron
Generic name: Pentosan polysulfate sodium

What is Elmiron?
Elmiron is indicated for the relief of bladder pain or discomfort associated with bladder inflammation (interstitial cystitis).

What is the most important information I should know about Elmiron?
Elmiron is a weak blood thinner, which may increase bleeding. Tell your doctor if you will be undergoing surgery or will be taking other blood thinner medications.
Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to Elmiron; this medication may cause dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines.

Elmiron may reduce the number of clot-forming cells (platelets) in your blood. Avoid activities that may cause bruising or injury. Tell your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding. Tell your doctor if you have dark, tarry, or bloody stools.

Who should not take Elmiron?

Do not take Elmiron if you have an allergy to Elmiron or its formulation. Do not take Elmiron if you plan on undergoing surgery.

What should I tell my doctor before I take the first dose of Elmiron?
Tell your doctor about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications you are taking before beginning treatment with Elmiron. Also, talk to your doctor about your complete medical history, especially if you have a history of bleeding, stomach ulcers, liver problems, blood-clotting problems, or if you plan on undergoing surgery or taking blood thinner medications. In addition, talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

What is the usual dosage?
The information below is based on the dosage guidelines your doctor uses. Depending on your condition and medical history, your doctor may prescribe a different regimen. Do not change the dosage or stop taking your medication without your doctor's approval.

Adults: The usual dose is 100 mg three times daily for a total of 300 mg per day. Patients receiving Elmiron should be reassessed after 3 months. If improvement has not occurred and if limiting adverse events are not present, Elmiron may be continued for another 3 months.

How should I take Elmiron?
Take the capsules with a full glass of water at least 1 hour before meals or 2 hours afterwards. Continue taking Elmiron even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
What should I avoid while taking Elmiron?

Avoid taking Elmiron with other drugs that have blood thinning capabilities. In addition, do not take with anti-inflammatory drugs.

Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to Elmiron; this medication may cause dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines.

Avoid activities that may cause bruising or injury.

What are possible food and drug interactions associated with Elmiron?

If Elmiron is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Elmiron with the following: blood thinners such as aspirin or heparin; antiplatelet agents (such as ticlopdipine and clopidogrel); and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (such as naproxen and ibuprofen).

What are the possible side effects of Elmiron?

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, tell your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking this drug.

Side effects may include: hair loss, diarrhea, nausea, blood in the stool, rash, upset stomach, dizziness, bruising, headache, swelling of the fingers, hands, toes, or feet

Can I receive Elmiron if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?

The effects of Elmiron during pregnancy and breastfeeding are unknown. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Elmiron?

If you miss a dose, take it with food as soon as you remember. If it is close to the time of your next dose, skip the dose you missed and resume your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the dose.

How should I store Elmiron?

Store at room temperature away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom.