Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium
Description
Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium is a medicine containing Pentosan. It helps provide relief of chronic bladder pain or discomfort associated with interstitial cystitis (a condition that occur due to swelling and scarring of the bladder wall). This medicine works by forming a protective layer over the damaged bladder wall thus preventing irritation.
Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium may cause certain side effects like diarrhoea, hair loss, stomach upset, nausea, and vomiting. These side effects generally subside themselves. However, consult your doctor if they persist or worsen.
Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium is a prescription medicine. It should be taken on an empty stomach, generally one hour before food or two hours after food. The dose and duration of treatment will be decided by your doctor based on the severity of your condition. Do not take more than the prescribed dose. Avoid discontinuing the treatment without consulting your doctor as it can worsen your condition.
Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium is not recommended if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor all about your current medications and existing medical conditions to make sure this medicine is safe for you. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or are breastfeeding before taking this medicine.
QUICK LINKS:
Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium
- Hair loss
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea
- Headache
- Skin rash
- Stomach upset
- Heartburn
- Dryness of throat
- Ringing in ears
- Mouth sores
- Dizziness
Uses of Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium
What is it prescribed for?
- Interstitial cystitis
Read More
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported for Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium.
- Usage in pregnancy?Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Hence consult your doctor before taking this medicine if you are pregnant.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Due to the lack of safety information, Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium is not recommended for use while breastfeeding unless absolutely necessary. Hence consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
Allergy
Avoid taking Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Hence consult your doctor before taking this medicine if you are pregnant.
Breast-feeding
Due to the lack of safety information, Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium is not recommended for use while breastfeeding unless absolutely necessary. Hence consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
General warnings
Use in Children
Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium is not recommended for use in children less than 16 years of age as the safety and efficacy data are not clinically established.
Alopecia (Hair loss)
The use of Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium may cause hair loss in some people. Consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose of Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Never take more than the recommended dose. Seek emergency medical treatment in case of an overdose of Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Amiloride
Warfarin
Spironolactone
Disease interactions
Liver Disease
Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium should be used with caution if you have liver problems. This medicine is broken down in the liver and if your liver is not functioning properly, it may lead to the accumulation of this medicine in the body causing an increased risk of side effects.
Bleeding
Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium may increase the risk of bleeding. Hence it should be used with caution if you have coagulation disorders (when there is a problem with the body's blood clotting process, which can lead to heavy and prolonged bleeding) or other conditions that may increase the risk of bleeding.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium as instructed by your doctor. Take it on an empty stomach, generally one hour before meals or two hours after meals. Do not break, crush, or chew the capsule.
Take Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium at the same time every day for ease of remembering. Do not take in larger amounts than prescribed.
Consult your doctor if you experience any undesirable effects that persist or worsen.
This medicine may work gradually and it may take 3-6 months to see an improvement in your condition. Hence do not stop taking this medicine if you do not see an immediate improvement in your condition. Continue taking this medicine for the recommended duration for best results.
Keep Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium away from the reach of children and pets. Ensure that the unused or expired medicine is disposed of properly.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium forms a protective coating on the damaged bladder wall and prevents pain, irritation, and discomfort.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Miscellaneous genitourinary tract agents
Schedule
Schedule H
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2022. [online] Available at: [Accessed 22 July 2022].
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2022. DailyMed - ELMIRON- pentosan polysulfate sodium capsule, gelatin coated. [online] Available at: [Accessed 22 July 2022].
CiplaMed. 2022. For-IC Capsules. [online] Available at: [Accessed 22 July 2022].
Drugs, H., 2022. Pentosan Polysulfate: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: [Accessed 22 July 2022].
Information on this page was last updated on 7 Sep 2022
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.