CIMETIDINE IN THE TREATMENT OF INTERSTITIAL CYSTITIS

Objectives. To assess the effect of the H2-antagonist cimetidine in th e treatment of patients with interstitial cystitis (IC) refractory to other conservative therapies. Methods. A group of 9 patients previousl y treated conservatively for IC without success were entered in the st udy. They were thoroughly investigated and treated with cimetidine at the dose of 300 mg orally twice a day for 1 month. Results. Six of the 9 patients (66%) experienced various degrees of symptomatic relief wh ile on the drug. Of these, 4 (44%) have noted a complete and sustained response to the medication. Conclusions. The encouraging results obse rved in this pilot study together with the simplicity and tolerance of the treatment makes it an alternative when other options have been ex hausted. Its use as a first-line monotherapy remains speculative.