Treating Interstitial Cystitis: Medicine

Oral medicines

Your provider may prescribe 1 or more medicines. Most patients with interstitial cystitis need to try more than one treatment, sometimes in combination, to find one that provides the best relief. Ask your provider about all of your choices.

• Pain medicine. This may include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines and certain seizure medicines. They may help reduce inflammation and ease pain.

• Cyclosporine A. This is a medicine that suppresses the immune system.

• Antispasmodic medicines. These may help relax the bladder muscles and decrease the need to urinate.

• Antihistamines. Oral antihistamines, such as hydroxyzine, may help reduce inflammation and ease pain.

• Antidepressants. In low doses, certain antidepressants may block pain and help ease symptoms.

• Pentosan polysulfate sodium and similar medicines. These can restore the bladder lining. It can take 3 to 6 months of treatment to see improvement.

Bladder instillation

Bladder instillation is also called bladder wash, bath, or cocktail. It may help ease your inflammation. It may also help repair the bladder’s lining. During the treatment, the bladder is filled with liquid medicine. This is done with a thin tube (catheter). You will hold the medicine in your bladder for 15 to 30 minutes and then urinate. Or the medicine may be drained out through the catheter. These treatments are often given weekly for 6 to 8 weeks or longer. In some cases, treatment may be done at home.

Bladder hydrodistention

Hydrodistention is a procedure to stretch the walls of the bladder. It's done by filling the bladder with fluid. You may have had this procedure to diagnose your interstitial cystitis. Some people have relief from symptoms for a time afterward.

Sometimes hydrodistention can be combined with cystoscopy. This is a procedure in which a thin tube with a camera at the end is placed in the bladder through the urethra. It takes pictures that help find the cause of symptoms. Some patients with interstitial cystitis have bladder lesions called Hunner lesions. If these lesions are seen, they can be treated during the cystoscopy.