Promising intravesical treatment for interstitial cystitis

Intrabladder administration of a solution containing lidocaine, bicarbonate, and heparin improved symptoms and reduced dyspareunia in a sample of women with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome, according to an article published in Urology in January.

Blayne K. Welk, MD, of the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, and a colleague treated 23 consecutive female patients with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome with an intravesical solution of lidocaine, bicarbonate, and heparin three times weekly for 3 weeks. The patients returned for follow-up 3 weeks later and rated their response using a Patient Objective Rating of Improvement of Symptom scale.

Fifteen patients (65%) reported symptom improvement greater than 50%. In addition, treatment resulted in significant reductions in nocturia, increases in voided volume, and improvements in Pelvic Pain Urgency Frequency scores. Thirteen patients (57%) reported resolution of dyspareunia, and of the 13 patients with initial bladder tenderness only, 11 (85%) reported resolution of dyspareunia with treatment.

The study co-author is a paid consultant to Ortho-Medical, Urigen, and Aculight.

Welk BK, Teichman JM. Dyspareunia response in patients with interstitial cystitis treated with intravesical lidocaine, bicarbonate, and heparin. Urology. 2008;71:67-70.