This leads to pain, inflammation and swelling. Biopsies of some interstitial cystitis bladders, particularly ulcerative IC, have been found to have unusual numbers of mast cells. There is also speculation that mast cells in IC bladders do not function normally. Hydroxyzine has been shown in scientific studies to be useful for some IC patients. The most common complaint of patients taking these drugs is that they cause drowsiness, dry mouth or irritability.
Some people find that their drowsiness decreases in a few days.
Hydroxyzine pomoate may be better tolerated than hydroxyzine HCL in some patients. The drugs listed above are often prescribed to calm the bladder spasms. Levsin and levsinex may also be used to treat irritable bowel syndrome, a condition which occasionally accompanies IC and involves spasms of the colon. Common side effects of antispasmodics can be dry mouth and drowsiness. All of the antispasmodics listed above are similar in terms of how the main ingredient helps IC, but they differ in terms of added ingredients and preservatives used.