Oral treatment of interstitial cystitis

Up to now there is no specific treatment targeting the ultimate cause of in terstitial cystitis (IC), since its pathogenesis and etiology are still unk nown. Most studies focussing on oral medication have not been randomized,do uble-blinded or placebo-controlled. Numerous case reports and intent-to-tre at trials are lacking a systematic approach and do not meet evidence-based medicine criteria. Consequently there is as yet no standard oral therapy av ailable for the treatment of IC. However, only a few oral substances have shown a potential to improve sympt oms such as frequency and pain. The best results were obtained from manothe rapeutic use of pentosanpolysulfate, amitriptylin and hydroxycin. The true benefit of these substances alone should be compared to analgesics and anti cholinergics in the course of controlled clinical trials.