CLINICAL-RESPONSE TO AN ORAL PROSTAGLANDIN ANALOG IN PATIENTS WITH INTERSTITIAL CYSTITIS

Objective: To assess the efficacy of the oral prostaglandin analogue m isoprostol in controlling the symptoms of interstitial cystitis in pat ients with refractory disease. Methods: Twenty-five patients were comm enced on misoprostol 600 mu g daily for 3 months. Patients who respond ed to therapy were offered treatment for a further 6 months. Assessmen t of the response was by a voiding log and an interstitial cystitis sy mptom score. Results: At 3 months, 14 patients (56%) had significantly improved, and after a further 6 months, 12 patients (48%) had a susta ined response. The incidence of adverse drug effects was 64%. Most sid e effects were minimal, and the response rate in patients who were abl e to tolerate the drug was 87% at 3 months and 75% at 9 months. Conclu sions: The oral prostaglandin analogue misoprostol is effective in tre ating the symptoms of interstitial cystitis. It is possible that prost aglandins have a cytoprotective action in the urinary bladder.