Elmiron

Generic Name: Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium
Class: Protective Agents
ATC Class: C05BA
VA Class: GU900
Chemical Name: 4-O-Methyl-α-d-glucurono)-(1→2)-(1→4)-β-d-xylopyran hydrogen sulfate sodium salt
Molecular Formula: [C₅H₆Na₂O₁₀S₂]_n (n = 6 to 12)
CAS Number: 140207-93-8

Introduction

Semisynthetic low molecular weight heparinoid; a uroprotective agent resembling glycosaminoglycans.^{1 4 5 6 8}

Uses for Elmiron

Interstitial Cystitis

Symptomatic relief of bladder pain or discomfort associated with interstitial cystitis;^{1 2 6 7} designated an orphan drug by FDA for this use.³

Elmiron Dosage and Administration

Administration

Administer orally.^{1 2 6}

Oral Administration

Administer with water ≥1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.^{1 9 13}

Dosage

Available as pentosan polysulfate sodium; dosage expressed in terms of salt.¹

Adults

Interstitial Cystitis

Oral

100 mg 3 times daily^{1 2 6 7} for 3 months.^{1 7} If after 3 months no improvement or no dose-limiting adverse effects occur, may continue therapy for another 3 months.¹

Manufacturer states that if no improvement of pain is observed by 6 months, the optimal duration and risks of continued therapy unknown.¹ However, data from a long-term clinical study indicate overall continued symptomatic improvement (e.g., pain, urgency, urinary frequency, nocturia) during 1–2 years of therapy.⁷

Some clinicians recommend a dosage of 200 mg twice daily†; it appears to be effective and promotes greater patient compliance.⁶

Special Populations

Hepatic Impairment

No specific dosage adjustments recommended.¹

Renal Impairment

No specific dosage adjustments recommended.¹

Geriatric Patients

No specific dosage adjustments recommended.¹

Cautions for Elmiron

Contraindications

• 
  

  Known hypersensitivity to pentosan polysulfate, structurally related compounds, or any ingredient in formulation.¹

  
  

Warnings/Precautions

General Precautions

Hematologic Effects

Pentosan polysulfate is weak anticoagulant.^{1 11}

Rectal hemorrhage and bleeding complications of ecchymosis, epistaxis, and gum hemorrhage reported.¹

Evaluate patients at increased risk for hemorrhage including those undergoing invasive procedures, with signs and symptoms of coagulopathy, or receiving concomitant drugs that affect hemostasis.¹ (See Specific Drugs under Interactions.)

Delayed immunoallergic thrombocytopenia similar to heparin-induced thrombocytopenia with symptoms of thrombosis and hemorrhage reported with sub-Q, IM, or sublingual administration of a different formulation of pentosan polysulfate.^{1 13}

Use with caution in patients with history of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.¹ Carefully evaluate patients with thrombocytopenia prior to initiation of therapy.¹

Thrombocytopenia and elevations in PT and partial thromboplastin time (PTT) reported in patients with elevated liver function test results.^{1 10} Such effects not observed in healthy men receiving ≤1.2 g of pentosan polysulfate sodium daily (a dosage greater than the recommended 100 mg 3 times daily) for 8 days.¹

Concomitant Illnesses

Carefully evaluate patients with diseases such as aneurysms, hemophilia, GI ulcerations, polyps, or diverticula prior to initiation of therapy.¹

Hepatic Effects

Mild and usually transient elevations (<2.5 times ULN) of serum aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, and LDH concentrations reported in about 1.2% of patients.¹ Such abnormalities usually occur 3–12 months after initiation of therapy and generally not associated with jaundice or other clinical signs and symptoms.¹ These elevations may remain unchanged or rarely progress with continued use.¹

Alopecia

Alopecia, primarily alopecia areata (limited to single area on scalp), reported; may occur within first 4 weeks of initiation of therapy.¹

Specific Populations

Pregnancy

Category B.¹

Lactation

Not known whether pentosan polysulfate is distributed into milk.¹ Use with caution in nursing women.¹

Pediatric Use

Safety and efficacy in pediatric patients <16 years of age not established.¹

Hepatic Impairment

Use with caution.¹ (See Hepatic Effects under Cautions.)

Common Adverse Effects

Rectal hemorrhage,¹ alopecia,^{1 7 9} diarrhea,^{1 7 9} nausea,^{1 2 7 9} headache,^{5 7 9} blood in stool,⁹ rash,^{1 5 7 9} dyspepsia,^{1 7 9} abdominal pain,^{1 7} abnormal liver function tests,^{1 7 9} dizziness,^{1 7 9} bruising.⁹

Interactions for Elmiron

Drugs That Affect Hemostasis

Potential pharmacodynamic effect (increased risk of hemorrhage) with concurrent use of drugs that affect hemostasis.^{1 12}

Monitor for hemorrhage during concurrent administration.^{1 5}

Specific Drugs

Drug	Interaction	Comments
Anticoagulants, oral	Increased risk of bleeding1	Monitor for hemorrhage1 5
Heparin	Increased risk of bleeding1	Monitor for hemorrhage1
NSAIAs	Increased risk of bleeding with aspirin (high dosages) and other NSAIAs1	Monitor for hemorrhage1
Thrombolytic agents (e.g., alteplase, streptokinase)	Increased risk of bleeding1	Monitor for hemorrhage1

Elmiron Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

Bioavailability

Following oral administration, approximately 3% absorbed.^{1 13}

Onset

Early or mild interstitial cystitis: Pain relief occurs within 6–8 weeks.⁶

Moderate to severe interstitial cystitis: In majority of patients, pain relief occurs in approximately 6 months.^{6 7}

Duration

Pain relief may persist for >29 months (in some patients).⁷

Food

Effect of food on absorption of pentosan polysulfate unknown.^{1 13} In clinical trials, pentosan polysulfate was administered with water 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.¹

Special Populations

Not known whether bioavailability of parent drug or active metabolites is increased in patients with hepatic impairment or splenic disorders.¹

Distribution

Extent

In animals, distributed into uroepithelium of GU tract, with lower amounts distributed into liver, spleen, lung, skin, periosteum, and bone marrow.¹ Small amounts distributed into RBCs in animals.¹

Not known whether pentosan polysulfate is distributed into milk.¹

Elimination

Metabolism

Following IV administration, 68% of a dose undergoes partial desulfation in liver and spleen; partial depolymerization in kidneys reported.^{1 4}

Elimination Route

Following oral administration, excreted in urine (6.3%; range about 4.8–8%), principally as metabolites, and in feces (84.1%; range about 68–92%) as unabsorbed drug.^{1 4}

Half-life

Following oral administration, 4.8 or 26.5 hours for unchanged drug or unchanged drug and metabolites, respectively.^{1 4}

Stability

Storage

Oral

Capsules

15–30°C.¹

ActionsActions

• 
  

  Semisynthetic low molecular weight heparinoid is a uroprotective agent structurally similar to naturally occurring glycosaminoglycans.^{1 4 5 6 8}

  
  


• 
  

  The main cause of interstitial cystitis appears to be a defective mucous glycosaminoglycans layer of the bladder that may cause increased bladder epithelial permeability.^{6 7 8} Such permeability allows movement of irritating urine solutes into interstitium and causes tissue injury.⁸

  
  


• 
  

  Although the mechanism of action of pentosan polysulfate sodium in the management of interstitial cystitis has not been fully elucidated, the drug appears to replenish the defective mucous (glycosaminoglycans) layer and restore bladder integrity (by adhering to surface of bladder); acts as a buffer to control cell permeability and prevent irritating solutes from reaching epithelial cells.^{1 2 6}

  
  


• 
  

  Weak anticoagulant following oral administration compared with heparin (1/15 activity of heparin); may increase bleeding times.^{1 9 11}

  
  


• 
  

  Given parenterally, inhibits generation of factor X_a.¹¹

  
  


• 
  

  In ex vivo study, inhibits thrombin-induced platelet aggregation.¹

  
  

Advice to Patients

• 
  

  Importance of taking pentosan as prescribed, including not altering frequency of use.^{1 9}

  
  


• 
  

  Importance of taking the drug with water ≥1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.^{1 9}

  
  


• 
  

  Importance of contacting emergency room and/or poison control center immediately if recommended dosage is exceeded.⁹

  
  


• 
  

  Importance of informing patients that the drug is intended for their use only and for the specific condition for which it was prescribed.¹ Do not give this drug to others.^{1 9}

  
  


• 
  

  Importance of informing patients of risk of bleeding.^{1 9}

  
  


• 
  

  Importance of patients undergoing surgery to contact their clinician about discontinuance of therapy.⁹

  
  


• 
  

  Importance of women informing their clinician if they are or plan to become pregnant or plan to breast-feed.^{1 9}

  
  


• 
  

  Importance of informing clinicians of existing or contemplated concomitant therapy, including prescription (e.g., warfarin, heparin) and OTC drugs (e.g., some NSAIAs), as well as any concomitant illnesses (e.g., liver disease, conditions requiring surgery).⁹

  
  


• 
  

  Importance of informing patients of other important precautionary information.¹ (See Cautions.)

  
  

Preparations

Excipients in commercially available drug preparations may have clinically important effects in some individuals; consult specific product labeling for details.

Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium

Routes	Dosage Forms	Strengths	Brand Names	Manufacturer
Oral	Capsules	100 mg	Elmiron (with propylene glycol)	Ortho-McNeil

Comparative Pricing

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. This pricing information was updated 03/2011. Actual costs to patients will vary depending on the use of specific retail or mail-order locations and health insurance copays.

Elmiron 100MG Capsules (JANSSEN): 90/$405.99 or 270/$1186.03

Disclaimer

This report on medications is for your information only, and is not considered individual patient advice. Because of the changing nature of drug information, please consult your physician or pharmacist about specific clinical use.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. and Drugs.com represent that the information provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. and Drugs.com make no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such information and specifically disclaims all such warranties. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the information is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. and Drugs.com do not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information is not a substitute for medical care.

AHFS Drug Information. © Copyright, 1959-2011, Selected Revisions August 2008. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.

† Use is not currently included in the labeling approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

References

1. Ortho-McNeil. Elmiron (pentosan polysulfate sodium) prescribing information. Raritan, NJ; 2006 Sep.

2. Parsons CL, Benson G, Childs SJ et al. A quantitatively controlled method to study prospectively interstitial cystitis and demonstrate the efficacy of pentosanpolysulfate. J Urol. 1993; 150:845-8. [PubMed 7688432]

3. Food and Drug Administration. List of orphan designations and approvals. Rockville, MD; 2007 Oct 4. From FDA website . Accessed 2008 Jan 31.

4. Simon M, McClanahan RH, Shah JF et al. Metabolism of [³H]pentosan polysulfate sodium (PPS) in healthy human volunteers. Xenobiotica. 2005; 35:775-84. [PubMed 16278190]

5. Modi NB, Kell S, Simon M et al. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of warfarin when coadministered with pentosan polysulfate sodium. J Clin Pharmacol. 2005; 45:919-26. [PubMed 16027402]

6. Dell JR, Butrick CW. Multimodal therapy for painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis. J Reprod Med. 2006; 51:253-60. [PubMed 16676920]

7. Hanno PM. Analysis of long-term Elmiron therapy for interstitial cystitis. Urology. 1997; 49 (Suppl 5A):93-9. [PubMed 9146008]

8. Parsons CL. The role of the urinary epithelium in the pathogenesis of interstitial cystitis/prostatitis/urethritis. Urology. 2007; 69 (Suppl 4A):9-16. [PubMed 17462486]

9. Ortho-McNeill. Elmiron (pentosan polysulfate sodium) patient information. Raritan, NJ; 2006 Sep.

10. Rodgers GM. Acquired coagulation disorders. In: Greer JP, Foerster J, Lukens JN et al, eds. Wintrobe’s clinical hematology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2004:1673-4.

11. Fischer AM, Dautzenberg MD, Aurousseau MH et al. Comparison between the effect of pentosan polysulfate heparin and antithrombin III injections in antithrombin III deficient patients. Thromb Res. 1985; 37:295-307. [PubMed 2579452]

12. Sanofi-Aventis. Lovenox (enoxaparin sodium) injection prescribing information. Bridgewater, NJ; 2007 May.

13. Ortho-McNeil Janssen, Titusville, NJ: Personal communication.

More Elmiron resources

• Elmiron Side Effects (in more detail)
• Elmiron Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Elmiron Drug Interactions
• Elmiron Support Group
• 15 Reviews for Elmiron - Add your own review/rating

• Elmiron Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Elmiron MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Elmiron Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)


• Elmiron Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)

Compare Elmiron with other medications

• Bladder Infection
• Interstitial Cystitis