Pentosan

Pentosan is a prescription medication used to treat pain and discomfort due to interstitial cystitis (IC). IC is bladder inflammation or irritation. Pentosan is similar to a group of drugs called low molecular weight heparins, which help prevent irritation of the bladder walls.

This medication comes in capsule form and is taken three times a day. It should be taken 1 hour before, or 2 hours after meals.

Common side effects include headache, diarrhea, nausea, and hair loss. 

Pentosan is a prescription medication used to treat pain and discomfort due to interstitial cystitis (IC).  

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Pentosan may be found in some form under the following brand names:

• Elmiron

The most common side effects of pentosan are:

• hair loss
• diarrhea
• nausea
• blood in stool
• headache
• rash
• upset stomach
• abnormal liver function tests
• dizziness
• bruising

Call your doctor if these side effects don't go away or are bothersome or if there is blood in your stool.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you are taking:

• warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)
• heparin
• high doses of aspirin
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) like ibuprofen

This is not a complete list of pentosan drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Do not take pentosan if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any ingredient in pentosan.

Pentosan may increase bleeding. Tell your doctor if you are going to have a surgery, or if you are taking warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), heparin, aspirin, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) like ibuprofen.

Pentosan may increase hair loss.

Pentosan should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of pentosan there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving pentosan.

Before receiving this medication, tell your doctor:

• about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements
• if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• if you have liver problems

Do not take pentosan if you are allergic to any ingredient in it.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Pentosan falls into category B. There are no well-done studies that have been done in humans with this medication. But in animal studies, pregnant animals were given pentosan, and the babies did not show any medical issues related to this medication.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. It is not known if pentosan is excreted in human milk or if it will harm your nursing baby.

Take pentosan exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

Pentosan is taken by mouth, with water at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.

Take pentosan exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully. Your doctor will determine the best dose for you.

The recommended dose of pentosan is 300 mg daily taken as one 100 mg capsule by mouth three times a day.

Pentosan may be used for up to 6 months.

If you have taken too much pentosan, call your local Poison Control Center or seek emergency medical attention right away.

Store pentosan at controlled room temperature.

Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.