In 1996, the FDA approved Elmiron for treatment of individuals suffering from interstitial cystitis (IC). Individuals with interstitial cystitis often have chronic bladder pain that can range from minor discomfort to debilitating depending on the severity of the condition. Elmiron manufacturers marketed the drug as “The Only Oral Medication Approved to Treat the Bladder Pain or Discomfort of Intestitial Cystitis (IC).”