Current strategies for managing interstitial cystitis.

Interstitial cystitis is a relatively common disorder that can be treated successfully in the majority of cases. Symptoms can be effectively controlled, and disease pathophysiology addressed, using a multimodal medical regimen based on heparinoid therapy. As appropriate to the individual patient, heparinoid therapy is supplemented by oral medications aimed at reversing neural upregulation and controlling any allergies. A new and promising adjunct to the multimodal regimen is an intravesical therapeutic solution that combines pentosan polysulfate or heparin with lidocaine and sodium bicarbonate. Preliminary results indicate this therapeutic solution provides immediate temporary relief of symptoms.