ELMIRON PENTOSAN POLYSULFATE SODIUM 100 mg Capsule, Gelatin Coated, 100-count
🆔 Identity & classification
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🏷️ RxNorm drug class
This medicine belongs to the Glycosaminoglycan class.
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🏭 Manufacturer & labeler
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🩺 Clinical
Pentosan polysulfate is used to relieve bladder pain and discomfort related to interstitial cystitis, a disease that causes swelling and scarring of the bladder wall. Pentosan polysulfate is similar to a class of medications called low molecular weight heparins. It works by preventing irritation of the bladder walls.
Read the full MedlinePlus article ↗- Elmiron is the brand name for pentosan polysulfate sodium, and it's specifically approved to relieve bladder pain and discomfort caused by interstitial cystitis — a chronic conditi...
- Elmiron is not a fast-acting drug. Your prescriber will typically check in with you after 3 months to see if it's helping. If you haven't noticed improvement by 6 months, the evide...
- How long does it take for Elmiron to start working?
- Yes — this is the most important thing to know about long-term Elmiron use. The drug has been linked to changes in the retina (the back of the eye) called pigmentary maculopathy, w...
Patient education
Supplement & herbal interactions
Some supplements/herbs that may interact with Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium — tap one for details:
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💊 What it looks like
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🧪 Inactive Ingredients / Excipients
Inactive ingredients, also called excipients, are components of the drug product other than the active ingredient. They may include fillers, dyes, coatings, preservatives, flavors, or other formulation ingredients.
💡 Tap an ingredient (hover on desktop) to see what it is and why it’s used.
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UNII LMI26O6933
Alumina is a white powder form of aluminum oxide. It's used as a filler to add bulk to tablets and capsules, and sometimes as a thickening or anti-caking agent in powdered formulations.
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Butyl alcohol is a clear liquid organic solvent derived from petroleum or natural sources. In medicines, it helps dissolve active ingredients and serves as a solvent in liquid formulations and some topical products.
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UNII 35SW5USQ3G
A synthetic yellow dye used to color medicines. It helps make tablets, capsules, and liquids visually distinct so patients can easily identify their medication.
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UNII H3R47K3TBD
FD&C Blue No. 1 is a synthetic blue dye approved for use in foods and medicines. It serves as a colorant to give the medication its distinctive appearance and help with product identification.
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UNII L06K8R7DQK
A synthetic blue dye approved by the FDA for use in medications and foods. It serves as a colorant to make pills and liquids visually distinct and easier to identify.
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UNII WZB9127XOA
A synthetic red dye used to color medications and make them easier to identify. It serves as a colorant in tablets, capsules, and liquid formulations.
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UNII XM0M87F357
A dark iron oxide compound that gives medicines their black or dark color. It's used as a colorant in tablets and capsules to help identify the product and make it visually distinctive.
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UNII 70097M6I30
Magnesium stearate is a salt made from magnesium and stearic acid, a fatty substance. It's used in tablets and capsules as a lubricant and glidant to help ingredients flow smoothly during manufacturing and prevent sticking.
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UNII OP1R32D61U
Microcrystalline cellulose is a purified form of cellulose, a natural fiber from plant sources. It acts as a binder and filler in tablets and capsules, helping hold ingredients together and give the medicine its shape and size.
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UNII 6DC9Q167V3
Propylene glycol is a clear liquid derived from petroleum or vegetable sources. It acts as a solvent, humectant, and preservative in medicines, helping dissolve active ingredients and maintain product stability.
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UNII 15FIX9V2JP
Titanium dioxide is a bright white mineral powder commonly used as a colorant and opacifying agent. It makes pills and tablets white or lighter in color and helps make coatings non-transparent.
11 inactive ingredients listed in the exact product block matched to this NDC.
Where does this data come from?
ingredient classCode="IACT" elements from the exact product block matched by this NDC. Label-section narrative from DailyMed / the openFDA label index is shown separately when available.Inactive ingredient FAQ
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💲 Pricing
A drug doesn't have one price. Each row is a different public payment system, and none is what you'd pay at the counter — that depends on your insurance. The ⓘ on each row explains what it measures.
| Price system | Per ea | Per package |
|---|---|---|
| Retail pharmacies payNADAC · weekly | $12.095 | $1,209.48 / 100 capsules |
| Medicaid paysCMS SDUD · 12 mo | $11.62 | $1,162.41 / 100 capsules |
| Medicare drug plans payPart D · Q2 2026 | $12.08 | $1,208.33 / 100 capsules |
Where does this data come from?
🔁 Therapeutic equivalents
| Product | Labeler | Pack | NADAC/unit | TE | Status | Price vs. this |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elmiron 100 mgthis 50458-0098-01 | Janssen | 100 capsules | $12.095 | — | Availability likely | — |
Where does this data come from?
⏳ Availability & generic status
We did not find an FDA-approved generic match for this exact strength, form and route.
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🗺️ Medicaid utilization & spend
📊 Medicare Part D spend CMS · PART D · 2026 (Q1)
📦 Packaging — all sizes for this product
| Package NDC | Description | Marketing start | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50458-0098-01 You're viewing this | 100 CAPSULE, GELATIN COATED in 1 BOTTLE (50458-098-01) | 1996-09-26 | Active |
📄 Full prescribing information FDA SPL
🎯 Indications and Usage ▾
INDICATIONS AND USAGE ELMIRON ® (pentosan polysulfate sodium) is indicated for the relief of bladder pain or discomfort associated with interstitial cystitis.
⏱️ Dosage and Administration ▾
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION The recommended dose of ELMIRON ® is 300 mg/day taken as one 100 mg capsule orally three times daily. The capsules should be taken with water at least 1 hour before meals or 2 hours after meals. Patients receiving ELMIRON ® should be reassessed after 3 months.
If improvement has not occurred and if limiting adverse events are not present, ELMIRON ® may be continued for another 3 months. The clinical value and risks of continued treatment in patients whose pain has not improved by 6 months is not known.
⛔ Contraindications ▾
CONTRAINDICATIONS ELMIRON ® is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the drug, structurally related compounds, or excipients.
⚠️ Warnings ▾
WARNINGS Retinal Pigmentary Changes Pigmentary changes in the retina, reported in the literature as pigmentary maculopathy, have been identified with long-term use of ELMIRON ® (see ADVERSE REACTIONS ). Although most of these cases occurred after 3 years of use or longer, cases have been seen with a shorter duration of use. While the etiology is unclear, cumulative dose appears to be a risk factor.
Visual symptoms in the reported cases included difficulty reading, slow adjustment to low or reduced light environments, and blurred vision. The visual consequences of these pigmentary changes are not fully characterized. Caution should be used in patients with retinal pigment changes from other causes in which examination findings may confound the appropriate diagnosis, follow-up, and treatment.
Detailed ophthalmologic history should be obtained in all patients prior to starting treatment with ELMIRON ® . If there is a family history of hereditary pattern dystrophy, genetic testing should be considered. For patients with pre-existing ophthalmologic conditions, a comprehensive baseline retinal examination (including color fundoscopic photography, ocular coherence tomography (OCT), and auto-fluorescence imaging) is recommended prior to starting therapy.
A baseline retinal examination (including OCT and auto-fluorescence imaging) is suggested for all patients within six months of initiating treatment and periodically while continuing treatment. If pigmentary changes in the retina develop, then risks and benefits of continuing treatment should be re-evaluated, since these changes may be irreversible. Follow-up retinal examinations should be continued given that retinal and vision changes may progress even after cessation of treatment.
🤒 Adverse Reactions ▾
ADVERSE REACTIONS ELMIRON ® was evaluated in clinical trials in a total of 2627 patients (2343 women, 262 men, 22 unknown) with a mean age of 47 [range 18 to 88 with 581 (22%) over 60 years of age]. Of the 2627 patients, 128 patients were in a 3-month trial and the remaining 2499 patients were in a long-term, unblinded trial. Deaths occurred in 6/2627 (0.2%) patients who received the drug over a period of 3 to 75 months.
The deaths appear to be related to other concurrent illnesses or procedures, except in one patient for whom the cause was not known. Serious adverse events occurred in 33/2627 (1.3%) patients. Two patients had severe abdominal pain or diarrhea and dehydration that required hospitalization.
Because there was not a control group of patients with interstitial cystitis who were concurrently evaluated, it is difficult to determine which events are associated with ELMIRON ® and which events are associated with concurrent illness, medicine, or other factors. Adverse Experience in Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trials of ELMIRON ® 100 mg Three Times a Day for 3 Months Body System/Adverse Experience ELMIRON ® n=128 Placebo n=130 CNS Overall Number of Patients Within a body system, the individual events do not sum to equal overall number of patients because a patient may have more than one event.
3 5 Insomnia 1 0 Headache 1 3 Severe Emotional Lability/Depression 2 1 Nystagmus/Dizziness 1 1 Hyperkinesia 1 1 GI Overall Number of Patients 7 7 Nausea 3 3 Diarrhea 3 6 Dyspepsia 1 0 Jaundice 0 1 Vomiting 0 2 Skin/Allergic Overall Number of Patients 2 4 Rash 0 2 Pruritus 0 2 Lacrimation 1 1 Rhinitis 1 1 Increased Sweating 1 0 Other Overall Number of Patients 1 3 Amenorrhea 0 1 Arthralgia 0 1 Vaginitis 1 1 Total Events 17 27 Total Number of Patients Reporting Adverse Events 13 19 The adverse events described below were reported in an unblinded clinical trial of 2499 interstitial cystitis patients treated with ELMIRON ® .
Of the original 2499 patients, 1192 (48%) received ELMIRON ® for 3 months; 892 (36%) received ELMIRON ® for 6 months; and 598 (24%) received ELMIRON ® for one year, 355 (14%) received ELMIRON ® for 2 years, and 145 (6%) for 4 years. Frequency (1 to 4%): Alopecia (4%), diarrhea (4%), nausea (4%), headache (3%), rash (3%), dyspepsia (2%), abdominal pain (2%), liver function abnormalities (1%), dizziness (1%). Frequency (≤ 1%): Digestive: Vomiting, mouth ulcer, colitis, esophagitis, gastritis, flatulence, constipation, anorexia, gum hemorrhage.
Hematologic: Anemia, ecchymosis, increased prothrombin time, increased partial thromboplastin time, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia. Hypersensitive Reactions: Allergic reaction, photosensitivity. Respiratory System: Pharyngitis, rhinitis, epistaxis, dyspnea.
Skin and Appendages: Pruritus, urticaria. Special Senses: Conjunctivitis, tinnitus, optic neuritis, amblyopia, retinal hemorrhage. Post-Marketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during post approval use of pentosan polysulfate sodium; because these reactions were reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure: pigmentary changes in the retina (see WARNINGS ).
Rectal Hemorrhage ELMIRON ® was evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, parallel group, Phase 4 study conducted in 380 patients with interstitial cystitis dosed for 32 weeks. At a daily dose of 300 mg (n=128), rectal hemorrhage was reported as an adverse event in 6.3% of patients. The severity of the events was described as "mild" in most patients.
Patients in that study who were administered ELMIRON ® 900 mg daily, a dose higher than the approved dose, experienced a higher incidence of rectal hemorrhage, 15%. Liver Function Abnormality A randomized, double-blind, parallel group, Phase 2 study was conducted in 100 men (51 ELMIRON ® and 49 placebo) dosed for 16 weeks. At a daily dose of 900 mg, a dose higher than th…
🔄 Drug Interactions ▾
Drug-Drug Interactions In a study in which healthy subjects received pentosan polysulfate sodium 100 mg capsule or placebo every 8 hours for 7 days, and were titrated with warfarin to an INR of 1.4 to 1.8, the pharmacokinetic parameters of R-warfarin and S-warfarin were similar in the absence and presence of pentosan polysulfate sodium. INR for warfarin + placebo and warfarin + pentosan polysulfate sodium were comparable. See also PRECAUTIONS on the use of ELMIRON ® in patients receiving other therapies with anticoagulant effects.
🤰 Pregnancy ▾
Pregnancy Reproduction studies have been performed in mice and rats with intravenous daily doses of 15 mg/kg, and in rabbits with 7.5 mg/kg. These doses are 0.42 and 0.14 times the daily oral human doses of ELMIRON ® when normalized to body surface area. These studies did not reveal evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus from ELMIRON ® .
Direct in vitro bathing of cultured mouse embryos with pentosan polysulfate sodium (PPS) at a concentration of 1 mg/mL may cause reversible limb bud abnormalities. Adequate and well-controlled studies have not been performed in pregnant women. Because animal studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used in pregnancy only if clearly needed.
🧒 Pediatric Use ▾
Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below the age of 16 years have not been established.
🆘 Overdosage ▾
OVERDOSAGE Overdose has not been reported. Based upon the pharmacodynamics of the drug, toxicity is likely to be reflected as anticoagulation, bleeding, thrombocytopenia, liver function abnormalities, and gastric distress (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY and PRECAUTIONS ). At a daily dose of 900 mg for 32 weeks (n=127) in a clinical trial, rectal hemorrhage was reported as an adverse event in 15% of patients.
At a daily dose of ELMIRON ® 900 mg for 16 weeks in a clinical trial that enrolled 51 patients in the ELMIRON ® group and 49 in the placebo group, elevated liver function tests were reported as an adverse event in 11.8% of patients in the ELMIRON ® group and 2% of patients in the placebo group. In the event of acute overdosage, the patient should be given gastric lavage if possible, carefully observed and given symptomatic and supportive treatment.
🧬 Clinical Pharmacology ▾
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY General Pentosan polysulfate sodium is a low molecular weight heparin-like compound. It has anticoagulant and fibrinolytic effects. The mechanism of action of pentosan polysulfate sodium in interstitial cystitis is not known.
Pharmacokinetics Absorption In a clinical pharmacology study in which healthy female volunteers received a single oral 300 or 450 mg dose of pentosan polysulfate sodium containing radiolabeled drug as a solution under fasted conditions, maximal levels of plasma radioactivity were seen approximately at a median of 2 hours (range 0.6-120 hours) after dosing. Based on urinary excretion of radioactivity, a mean of approximately 6% of a radiolabeled oral dose of pentosan polysulfate sodium is absorbed and reaches the systemic circulation.
Food Effects: In clinical trials, ELMIRON ® was administered with water 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals; the effect of food on absorption of pentosan polysulfate sodium is not known. Distribution Preclinical studies with parenterally administered radiolabeled pentosan polysulfate sodium showed distribution to the uroepithelium of the genitourinary tract with lesser amounts found in the liver, spleen, lung, skin, periosteum, and bone marrow. Erythrocyte penetration is low in animals.
Metabolism The fraction of pentosan polysulfate sodium that is absorbed is metabolized by partial desulfation in the liver and spleen, and by partial depolymerization in the kidney to a large number of metabolites. Both the desulfation and depolymerization can be saturated with continued dosing. Excretion Following administration of an oral solution of a 300 or 450 mg dose of pentosan polysulfate sodium containing radiolabeled drug to groups of healthy subjects, plasma radioactivity declined with mean half-lives of 27 and 20 hours, respectively.
A large proportion of the orally administered dose of pentosan polysulfate sodium (mean 84% in the 300 mg group and 58% in the 450 mg group) is excreted in feces as unchanged drug. A mean of 6% of an oral dose is excreted in the urine, mostly as desulfated and depolymerized metabolites. Only a small fraction of the administered dose (mean 0.14%) is recovered as intact drug in urine.
Special Populations The pharmacokinetics of pentosan polysulfate sodium has not been studied in geriatric patients or in patients with hepatic or renal impairment. See also PRECAUTIONS-Hepatic Insufficiency . Drug-Drug Interactions In a study in which healthy subjects received pentosan polysulfate sodium 100 mg capsule or placebo every 8 hours for 7 days, and were titrated with warfarin to an INR of 1.4 to 1.8, the pharmacokinetic parameters of R-warfarin and S-warfarin were similar in the absence and presence of pentosan polysulfate sodium.
INR for warfarin + placebo and warfarin + pentosan polysulfate sodium were comparable. See also PRECAUTIONS on the use of ELMIRON ® in patients receiving other therapies with anticoagulant effects. Pharmacodynamics The mechanism by which pentosan polysulfate sodium achieves its effects in patients is unknown.
In preliminary clinical models, pentosan polysulfate sodium adhered to the bladder wall mucosal membrane. The drug may act as a buffer to control cell permeability preventing irritating solutes in the urine from reaching the cells.
📦 How Supplied / Storage and Handling ▾
HOW SUPPLIED ELMIRON ® is supplied in white opaque hard gelatin capsules imprinted "BNP7600" containing 100 mg pentosan polysulfate sodium. Supplied in bottles of 100 capsules. NDC NUMBER 50458-098-01 Storage Store at 20 °C to 25 °C (68 °F to 77 °F); excursions permitted to 15 °C to 30 °C (59 °F to 86 °F). Keep out of reach of children.
📦 Storage and Handling ▾
Storage Store at 20 °C to 25 °C (68 °F to 77 °F); excursions permitted to 15 °C to 30 °C (59 °F to 86 °F). Keep out of reach of children.
📋 Description ▾
DESCRIPTION Pentosan polysulfate sodium is a semi-synthetically produced heparin-like macromolecular carbohydrate derivative, which chemically and structurally resembles glycosaminoglycans. It is a white odorless powder, slightly hygroscopic and soluble in water to 50% at pH 6. It has a molecular weight of 4000 to 6000 Dalton with the following structural formula: ELMIRON ® is supplied in white, opaque hard gelatin capsules containing 100 mg pentosan polysulfate sodium, microcrystalline cellulose, and magnesium stearate.
It also contains pharmaceutical glaze (modified) in SD-45, synthetic black iron oxide, FD&C Blue No. 2 aluminum lake, FD&C Red No. 40 aluminum lake, FD&C Blue No.
1 aluminum lake, D&C Yellow No. 10 aluminum lake, n-butyl alcohol, propylene glycol, SDA-3A alcohol, and titanium dioxide. It is formulated for oral use.
Chemical Structure
💬 Information for Patients ▾
Information for Patients Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Medication Guide). Patients should take the drug as prescribed, in the dosage prescribed, and no more frequently than prescribed. Patients should be informed that changes in vision should be reported and evaluated.
Retinal examinations including optical coherence tomography (OCT) and auto-fluorescence imaging are suggested for all patients within six months of starting ELMIRON ® and periodically during long-term treatment (see WARNINGS ). Patients should be reminded that ELMIRON ® has a weak anticoagulant effect. This effect may increase bleeding times.
💬 Medication Guide ▾
This Medication Guide has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Revised: 07/2024 MEDICATION GUIDE ELMIRON ® (EL ma ron) (pentosan polysulfate sodium) capsules, for oral use What is the most important information I should know about ELMIRON? Serious side effects have been reported with the use of ELMIRON, including: Changes in the retina of the eye (pigmentary maculopathy).
Taking ELMIRON may be associated with pigment changes in the retina of the eye that may continue even after stopping treatment with ELMIRON. Tell your healthcare provider including your eye doctor right away if you have any vision changes including any of these symptoms: difficulty reading your vision takes longer to adjust to low or reduced light blurred vision Throughout your treatment, regular eye examinations that include retinal examinations are suggested for early detection of retinal/macular changes. Your doctor will discuss with you when to get your first eye examination and follow-up exams, and whether the treatment should be continued.
Increased bleeding. ELMIRON may increase bleeding. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms: bruising easily nosebleeds bleeding gums blood in your stool Your risk of bleeding may be increased if you take ELMIRON along with other medicines such as: warfarin sodium heparin high doses of aspirin anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking any of these medicines.
Before you start taking ELMIRON, tell your healthcare provider if you are going to have surgery. Your healthcare provider may stop ELMIRON before you have surgery. Talk to your healthcare provider about when to stop taking ELMIRON and when to start taking it again.
What is ELMIRON? ELMIRON is a prescription medicine used to treat bladder pain or discomfort associated with interstitial cystitis. It is not known if ELMIRON is safe and effective in children under 16 years of age.
Do not take ELMIRON if you: are allergic to pentosan polysulfate sodium or any of the ingredients in ELMIRON. See the end of this Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients in ELMIRON. Before your take ELMIRON, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you: have a personal or family history of eye problems of the retina. have a history of aneurysms. have problems with easy bleeding (thrombocytopenia). have hemophilia. have gastrointestinal problems such as ulcerations, polyps, or diverticula. have liver problems are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
ELMIRON should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking ELMIRON. You and your healthcare provider should decide if you should continue to take ELMIRON. are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
It is not known if ELMIRON passes into your breastmilk. You and your healthcare provider should decide if you will take ELMIRON or breastfeed. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. How should I take ELMIRON?
Take ELMIRON exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it. Take 1 capsule of ELMIRON by mouth 3 times a day with water at least 1 hour before meals or 2 hours after meals. Each capsule contains 100 mg of ELMIRON.
If you take too much ELMIRON, call your healthcare provider right away or go to the nearest emergency room. What are the possible side effects of ELMIRON? Serious side effects have been reported with the use of ELMIRON, including: Changes in the retina of the eye Increased bleeding (See " What is the most important information I should know about ELMIRON? ") The most common side effects of ELMIRON are: hair loss diarrhea nausea stomach pain upset stomach headache rash abn…