Elmiron is a prescription drug used to treat interstitial cystitis, also known as painful bladder syndrome. With this condition, patients endure discomfort and pain in the bladder as well as bladder pressure and pelvic pain. Interstitial cystitis causes the signals in the brain to become confused and the patient feels the need to urinate more often with smaller volumes than other people because the bladder is not yet full. The exact way that Elmiron works is not completely understood. However, in an effort to relieve the pain and discomfort from this bladder issue, Elmiron is thought to adhere to the bladder mucosal lining, which prevents potentially irritating solutes in the urine from reaching the bladder wall.