AUA 2011- Cyclosporine Has Promising Results for Interstitial Cystitis

[icnmgrjill]

Last week during the AUA 2011 conference, Dr. John Forrest shared the results of a cyclosporine A study used to treat patients with severe, refractory IC. A Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Oklahoma Health with a thriving IC practice in Tulsa, Dr. Forrest reported on a study of 22 IC patients who had failed previous IC treatment and were considering bladder removal. Dr. Forrest considered using cyclosporine as a treatment because they all ad well documented autoimmune disease (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.) "I wanted to try something else before we took these patients' bladders out." he said.

This is an off label use for the medication and does present with some significant side effects and risks. Cyclosporine is also mentioned as a treatment in the newly released AUA Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of IC/BPS.

Dr. Forrest used low doses of the medication rather than the higher doses used to prevent transplant rejection. The initial dose was 2 to 3 mg/kg/day twice a day. After symptoms improved, the dosage was gradually decreased and/or adjusted based upon patient side effects and/or serum blood levels of the medication.

The results were promising. Dr. Forrest reported that 70% of patients reported atleast a 75% improvement in their symptoms, as well as an improvement in some rheumatoid symptoms.

Source: http://www.renalandurologynews.com/c...rticle/202925/

[sailawaygrl]

Dr Robert Evans of Wake Forrest Baptist is also using Cyclosporine A with success in his patients. He also spoke about this at the conference and is on the medical advisory board with the ICA. Additionally, he helped to write the new AUA guidelines. His practice is located in NC, so that those of us on the east coast have the opportunity to try this new treatment as well.

I see him next month, we have already discussed my trying cyclosporine A. I will update the boards here if I decide to try this approach. I have tried all other options and still suffer daily pain from my IC.

Sandra