Pentosan polysulfate sodium works like an anticoagulant (blood thinner) that prevents the
formation of blood clots. However, it is used to treat bladder pain and discomfort caused by
cystitis (bladder inflammation or irritation).
Pentosan polysulfate sodium may also be used for other purposes not listed in this
medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking pentosan polysulfate sodium?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to pentosan polysulfate
sodium.
Before taking pentosan polysulfate sodium, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any
drugs, or if you have:
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;
a history of aneurysm or stroke;
a stomach ulcer, intestinal polyps or diverticulitis; or
liver disease.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely take pentosan polysulfate sodium.
FDA pregnancy category B. Pentosan polysulfate sodium is not expected to be
harmful to an unborn baby. However, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become
pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether pentosan polysulfate sodium passes into breast milk or if it
could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are
breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take pentosan polysulfate sodium?
Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger
amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Take pentosan polysulfate sodium with a full glass of water.
Take the medicine on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a
meal.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your doctor will need to check your
progress every 3 months. This will help your doctor determine how long to treat you with
pentosan polysulfate sodium. You may also need blood tests to check for certain side effects.
Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are
taking pentosan polysulfate sodium. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of pentosan polysulfate sodium?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose,
wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
Do not
take extra
medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about pentosan polysulfate sodium?
Your pharmacist has information about pentosan polysulfate sodium written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of pentosan polysulfate sodium?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any easy bruising or unusual bleeding such as:
nosebleed;
blood in your urine or stools;
rectal bleeding;
coughing up blood;
bleeding gums; or
feeling like you might pass out.
Less serious side effects may include:
hair loss;
nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain;
headache;
mild dizziness;
depressed mood; or
mild itching or skin rash.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about pentosan polysulfate sodium?
Before taking pentosan polysulfate sodium, tell your doctor if you have a bleeding or
blood clotting disorder, a history of aneurysm or stroke, a stomach ulcer, intestinal polyps,
diverticulitis, or liver disease.
Take the medicine on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a
meal.
Call your doctor at once if you have any easy bruising or unusual bleeding such as
nosebleed, blood in your urine or stools, rectal bleeding, coughing up blood, bleeding gums, or
feeling like you might pass out.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your doctor will need to check your
progress every 3 months. This will help your doctor determine how long to treat you with
pentosan polysulfate sodium. You may also need blood tests to check for certain side effects.
Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Tell your doctor if you use any other medications that can increase your risk of
bleeding, including blood thinners, medications to treat or prevent blood clots, or an NSAID
(non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve,
Naprosyn), indomethacin (Indocin), and others.
What should I avoid while taking pentosan polysulfate sodium?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity
while you are using pentosan polysulfate sodium.
What other drugs will affect pentosan polysulfate sodium?
Tell your doctor if you use any other medications that can increase your risk of
bleeding, such as:
heparin or warfarin (Coumadin);
aspirin;
alteplase (Activase);
anistreplase (Eminase);
clopidogrel (Plavix);
dipyridamole (Persantine);
streptokinase (Kabikinase, Streptase);
ticlopidine (Ticlid);
urokinase (Abbokinase); or
an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as
ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren),
diflunisal (Dolobid), etodolac (Lodine), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin),
ketoprofen (Orudis), ketorolac (Toradol), mefenamic acid (Ponstel), meloxicam (Mobic),
nabumetone (Relafen), or piroxicam (Feldene).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact
with pentosan polysulfate sodium. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and
over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other
doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of pentosan polysulfate sodium?
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate,
up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not
warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist
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a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any
given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug
interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009