Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Elmiron (Pentosan). If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Elmiron (Pentosan) with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Elmiron (Pentosan). Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• dizziness
• hair loss
• headache
• itching
• nausea
• rash

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• shortness of breath
• signs of clotting problems (e.g., unusual nosebleeds, bruising, blood in urine, rectal bleeding, coughing blood, bleeding gums, cuts that don't stop bleeding)
• skin rash or Hives
• vision changes (difficulty reading, slow adjustment to decreased light, wavy or blurred vision)

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Elmiron (Pentosan).

Each white, opaque, hard gelatin capsule, imprinted with "BNP 7600" contains 100 mg of Elmiron (Pentosan) polysulfate. Nonmedicinal ingredients: gelatin, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and titanium dioxide.

Do not take Elmiron (Pentosan) if you:

• are allergic to Elmiron (Pentosan) polysulfate, its related compounds, or any ingredients of the medication
• have a personal or family history of eye disease that affects the Retin A

There may be an interaction between Elmiron (Pentosan) polysulfate and any of the following:

• anticoagulants (e.g., Dalteparin, Enoxaparin, Apixaban, dabigatran, Heparin, Rivaroxaban, Warfarin)
• antiplatelet medications (e.g., Clopidogrel, Prasugrel, Ticagrelor, Ticlopidine)
• Asa (acetylsalicylic acid)
• Dipyridamole
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs; e.g., Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Naproxen)
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., Citalopram, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline)
• serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs; Desvenlafaxine, Duloxetine, Venlafaxine)
• Vilazodone

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Elmiron (Pentosan). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin taking a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should take Elmiron (Pentosan).

Bleeding tendencies: Elmiron (Pentosan) may increase the risk of bleeding for people who are at high risk of this (e.g., those taking medications that increase bleeding risk or who have medical conditions such as bleeding ulcers or Diverticulitis). Be sure to tell your doctor if you are at increased risk of bleeding before starting Elmiron (Pentosan).

Liver function:  If you have liver problems, discuss with your doctor how Elmiron (Pentosan) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Elmiron (Pentosan), and whether any special monitoring is needed. Your doctor may want to test your liver function regularly with blood tests while you are taking Elmiron (Pentosan).

Pregnancy: The safety of Elmiron (Pentosan) polysulfate for use by pregnant women has not been established. Elmiron (Pentosan) is not recommended for use during pregnancy.

Breast-feeding: It is not known whether Elmiron (Pentosan) polysulfate passes into breast milk. If you are breast-feeding and are taking Elmiron (Pentosan), it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of Elmiron (Pentosan) polysulfate for children and adolescents younger than 18 years has not been established. Its use by this age group is not recommended.