.

In order to increase the chances of treatment success, it is important that patients are counseled about their condition and about realistic expectations for interstitial cystitis (IC) treatment.1

Counseling patients from the start of therapy may increase the likelihood of an adequate trial1

Counsel patients to continue their ELMIRON® therapy

  • Clinical response may require 3 to 6 months of continuous therapy
  • Patients may have expectations of immediate improvement and should be counseled that they may need to stay on ELMIRON® therapy for several months, even if relief is not immediate

Discuss steps that patients can take for symptom relief

  • Diet and lifestyle changes may help provide symptom relief2,3
    • A wide range of foods have been reported to trigger symptom flares in IC patients, and reducing or eliminating these foods from the diet can help relieve symptoms2,3


Important Safety Information

  • Contraindications: ELMIRON® is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the drug, structurally related compounds, or excipients
  • Anticoagulant Activity: ELMIRON® is a weak anticoagulant (blood thinner) which may increase bleeding. Patients undergoing invasive surgery or having signs/symptoms of underlying coagulopathy or other increased risk of bleeding (due to anticoagulant therapy or high doses of anti-inflammatory drugs) should be evaluated for the risk of hemorrhage
  • Alopecia: In clinical trials of ELMIRON®, alopecia began within the first 4 weeks of treatment. Ninety-seven percent (97%) of the cases of alopecia reported were alopecia areata, limited to a single area on the scalp
  • Use in Pregnancy: ELMIRON® is a Pregnancy Category B drug
  • Most Common Adverse Reactions (frequency 1% to 4%): Alopecia (4%), diarrhea (4%), nausea (4%), headache (3%), rash (3%), dyspepsia (2%), abdominal pain (2%), liver function abnormalities (1%), dizziness (1%)


    References:
  1. Kahn BS, Stanford EJ, Mishell DR Jr, Rosenberg MT, Wysocki S. Management of patients with interstitial cystitis or chronic pelvic pain of bladder origin: a consensus report. Curr Med Res Opin. 2005;21:509-516.
  2. Interstitial Cystitis Network. Understanding diet and IC. IC Patient Handbook. http://ic-network.com/handbook/diet.html. Accessed December 1, 2005.
  3. Whitmore KE. Self-care regimens for patients with interstitial cystitis. Urol Clin North Am. 1994;21:121-130.