• Pentosan polysulfate sodium (trade named Elmiron®), the first oral drug developed and approved specifically for IC treatment, relieves symptoms in a significant number of patients. Doctors believe it repairs thin or defective bladder linings. It works gradually and you may not feel any relief for several months. Therefore, you should continue with it for at least six months. Side effects are rare but include minor gastrointestinal discomfort and, even more rarely, some hair loss, though the hair grows back when the drug is discontinued.
  
  
• Antidepressants may help reduce pain and relieve the psychological stress of living with chronic pain. Some commonly prescribed tricyclic antidepressants are:
  • Amitriptyline (Elavil®)
  • Desipramine (Norpramin®)
  • Nortriptyline (Pamelor®)
  • Doxepin (Sinequan®)
  • Imipramine (Tofranil®)

Other forms of antidepressants, such as SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors,) including paroxetine (Paxil®),may also be helpful.

• Other prescription medications, such as:
  • Antihistamines such as hydroxyzine (Vistaril®, Atarax®)
  • Anticonvulsants such as gabapentin (Neurontin®) and clonazepam (Klonopin®)
  • Drugs that relax muscles and prevent bladder spasms, also known as anticholinergic or antispasmodic drugs such as:
    • Xybutynin chloride (Ditropan®)
    • Tolterodine tartrate (Detrol®)
    • Hyoscyamine (Levsin®)such as Valium® and Baclofen®
    • Short-acting narcotic analgesics such as Vicodin® and Percocet®
    • Long-acting analgesics such as OxyContin®, MS-Contin® and Duragesic®

• Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as aspirin and ibuprofen