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Elmiron (pentosan polysulfate sodium) Prior Authorization Program Summary

Policy Number: PH-1094

This prior authorization applies to Blue Partner, Commercial, GenPlus, NetResults A series, SourceRx and Health Insurance Marketplace formularies.

POLICY REVIEW CYCLE                                                                                                                                                                           

Effective Date

Date of Origin 

10/1/2023              

FDA APPROVED INDICATIONS AND DOSAGE

Agent(s)

FDA Indication(s)

Notes

Ref#

Elmiron®

(pentosan polysulfate sodium)

Capsule

The relief of bladder pain or discomfort associated with interstitial cystitis

1

See package insert for FDA prescribing information:  https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/index.cfm

CLINICAL RATIONALE

Interstitial cystitis (5)

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic, or long-lasting, condition that causes painful urinary symptoms. There is no known exact cause of IC. IC can cause repeat discomfort, pressure, tenderness or pain in the bladder, lower abdomen, and pelvic area.

IC varies so much in symptoms and severity that most researchers believe it is not one, but several diseases. In recent years, bladder pain syndrome (BPS) or painful bladder syndrome (PBS) has been used to describe cases with painful urinary symptoms that may not meet the strictest definition of IC. The term IC/BPS includes all cases of urinary pain that can’t be attributed to other causes, such as infection or urinary stones. The term interstitial cystitis, or IC, is used alone when describing cases that meet all of the IC criteria established by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The diagnosis of IC/PBS in the general population is based on:

  1. Presence of pain related to the bladder, usually accompanied by frequency and urgency of urination
  2. The absence of other diseases and conditions that could cause similar symptoms, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), bladder cancer, endometriosis (women), or prostatitis (men) - infection or inflammation of the prostate

Clinical Guidelines - European Association of Urology (EAU)- Guidelines on Treatment of Chronic Pelvic Pain (2022) [3]

Bladder pain syndrome (BPS) is the occurrence of persistent or recurrent pain perceived in the urinary bladder region, accompanied by at least one other symptom, such as pain worsening with bladder filling and day-time and/or night-time urinary frequency. There is no proven infection or other obvious local pathology. BPS is often associated with cognitive, behavioral, sexual or emotional consequences, as well as with symptoms suggestive of lower urinary tract and sexual dysfunction. BPS is believed to represent a heterogeneous spectrum of disorders. There may be specific types if inflammation as a feature in subsets of patients.

Localization of the pain can be difficult by examination, and consequently, another localization symptom of the pain is required. Cystoscopy with hydrodistension and biopsy may be indicated to define phenotypes. Other terms for BPS that have been used include interstitial cystitis, painful bladder syndrome, and PBS/IC or BPS/IC. These terms are no longer recommended.

Recommendations with 1 to 2a or strong strength rating for treatment of BPS:

  • Offer subtype and phenotype-oriented therapy for the treatment of BPS
  • Multimodal behavioral, physical and psychological techniques alongside oral or invasive treatments of BPS
  • Amitriptyline
  • Oral pentosan polysulphate sodium
  • Oral pentosan polysulphate plus subcutaneous heparin in low responders to pentosan polysulphate alone
  • Do not recommend oral corticosteroids for long-term treatment
  • Administer submucosal injection of Botulinum toxin type A plus hydrodistension if intravesical instillation therapies have failed
  • All ablative organ surgery should be the last resort for experienced and BPS knowledgeable surgeons only

Clinical Guidelines - American Urologic Association [AUA] - Guidelines on Treatment of Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome [IC/BPS] (2022) [4]

The body of evidence for a particular treatment was assigned a strength rating of A (high), B (moderate), or C (low). Additional treatment information is provided as Clinical Principles and Expert Opinion when insufficient evidence existed.

Treatment decisions should typically be made after shared decision-making, with the patient informed of the risks, potential benefits, and alternatives. Except for patients with Hunner lesions, initial treatment should be nonsurgical. Treatment is categorized into:

  • Behavioral/non-pharmacologic treatments:
    • Patients should be educated about normal bladder function, what is known and not known about IC/BPS, benefits vs risks/burdens of the available treatment alternatives, the fact that no single treatment has been found effective for the majority of patients and the fact that acceptable symptom control may require trials of multiple therapeutic options (including combination therapy) before it is achieved. (Clinical Principle)
    • Self-care practices and behavioral modifications that can improve symptoms should be discussed and implemented as feasible. (Clinical Principle)
    • Patients should be encouraged to implement stress management practices to improve coping techniques and manage stress-induced symptom exacerbations. (Clinical Principle)
    • Appropriate manual physical therapy techniques (e.g., maneuvers that resolve pelvic, abdominal and/or hip muscular trigger points, lengthen muscle contractures, and release painful scars and other connective tissue restrictions), if appropriately trained clinicians are available, should be offered to patients who present with pelvic floor tenderness. Pelvic floor strengthening exercises (e.g., Kegel exercises) should be avoided. (Evidence Strength: Grade A)
  • Oral Medications:
    • Clinicians may prescribe pharmacologic pain management agents (e.g., urinary analgesics, acetaminophen, NSAIDs, opioid/non-opioid medications) after counseling patients on the risks and benefits. Pharmacological pain management principles for IC/BPS should be similar to those for management of other chronic pain conditions. (Clinical Principle)
    • Amitriptyline, cimetidine, hydroxyzine, or pentosan polysulfate may be administered as oral medications (listed in alphabetical order; no hierarchy is implied, Evidence Strength: Grades B, B, C, and B)
    • Clinicians should counsel patients who are considering pentosan polysulfate about the potential risk for macular damage and vision-related injuries. (Clinical Principle)
    • Oral cyclosporine A may be offered particularly for patients with Hunner lesions refractory to fulguration and/or triamcinolone. (Evidence Strength: Grade C)

Efficacy (1)

Elmiron was evaluated in two clinical trials for the relief of pain in patients with chronic interstitial cystitis (IC). All patients met the NIH definition of IC based upon the results of cystoscopy, cytology, and biopsy.

Patients had unblinded evaluations every 3 months for the patient's rating of overall change in pain in comparison to baseline and for the difference calculated in "pain/discomfort" scores. At baseline, pain/discomfort scores for the original 2499 patients were severe or unbearable in 60%, moderate in 33% and mild or none in 7% of patients.

At 3 months, 722/2499 (29%) of the patients originally in the study had pain scores that improved by one or two categories. By 6 months, in the 892 patients who continued taking Elmiron, an additional 116/2499 (5%) of patients had improved pain scores. After 6 months, the percent of patients who reported the first onset of pain relief was less than 1.5% of patients who originally entered in the study.

Safety

Elmiron is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the drug, structurally related compounds, or excipients. It is important to note that clinical value or risks of continued treatment in patients whose pain has not improved by 6 months is not known.(1)

Clinicians should counsel patients who are considering Elmiron on the potential risk for macular damage and vision-related injuries A detailed ophthalmologic history should be obtained in all patients prior to starting treatment with Elmiron.(4)

A baseline retinal examination (including OCT and auto-fluorescence imaging) is suggested for all patients within six months of initiating treatment and periodically while continuing treatment. If pigmentary changes in the retina develop, then risks and benefits of continuing treatment should be reevaluated, since these changes may be irreversible. Follow-up retinal examinations should be continued given that retinal and vision changes may progress even after cessation of treatment.(1)

REFERENCES                                                                                                                                                                            

Number

Reference

1

Elmiron Prescribing Information. Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. March 2021.

2

Hanno, Philip, MD. "Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome." Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome. National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse, 29 June 2012. Web. 05 July 2013. Reference no longer used.

3

European Association of Urology (EAU, 2022). Guidelines on treatment of chronic pelvic pain. Available at: https://uroweb.org/guideline/chronic-pelvic-pain/#1

4

Clemens JQ, Erickson DR, Varela NP et al: Diagnosis and treatment of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (2022):AUA guideline amendment. J Urol 2022;208(1):34-42. Published 2011. Updated 2022. Available at: https://www.auanet.org/guidelines/guidelines/interstitial-cystitis-(ic/bps)-guideline

5

Interstitial Cystitis (Painful Bladder Syndrome). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/interstitial-cystitis-painful-bladder-syndrome

POLICY AGENT SUMMARY PRIOR AUTHORIZATION

Target Brand Agent(s)

Target Generic Agent(s)

Strength

Targeted MSC

Available MSC

Final Age Limit

Preferred Status

Elmiron

pentosan polysulfate sodium cap delayed release  ; pentosan polysulfate sodium caps

100 MG ; 150 MG ; 200 MG

M ; N ; O ; Y

N

CLIENT SUMMARY – PRIOR AUTHORIZATION

Target Brand Agent Name(s)

Target Generic Agent Name(s)

Strength

Client Formulary

Elmiron

pentosan polysulfate sodium cap delayed release  ; pentosan polysulfate sodium caps

100 MG ; 150 MG ; 200 MG

Blue Partner ; Commercial ; GenPlus ; Health Insurance Marketplace ; NetResults A Series ; SourceRx

PRIOR AUTHORIZATION CLINICAL CRITERIA FOR APPROVAL

Module

Clinical Criteria for Approval

Initial Evaluation

Target Agent(s) will be approved when ALL of the following are met:

  1. The patient has a diagnosis of interstitial cystitis (IC) or interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) or interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) AND
  2. The patient has tried and had an inadequate response to behavioral modification or self-care practices AND
  3. ONE of the following:
    1. The patient has tried and had an inadequate response to amitriptyline, cimetidine, or hydroxyzine OR
    2. The patient has an intolerance or hypersensitivity to amitriptyline, cimetidine, or hydroxyzine OR
    3. The patient has an FDA labeled contraindication to amitriptyline, cimetidine, and hydroxyzine AND
  4. The patient has had an eye exam with an eye specialist (e.g., optometrist, ophthalmologist) prior to starting the requested agent AND
  5. The patient does NOT have any FDA labeled contraindications to the requested agent AND
  6. The requested quantity (dose) does not exceed the FDA labeled dose for the requested indication

Length of Approval:  6 months

 

Renewal Evaluation

Target Agent(s) will be approved for renewal when ALL of the following are met:

  1. The patient has been previously approved for the requested agent through the plan’s Prior Authorization process AND
  2. The patient has had clinical benefit with the requested agent (e.g., decreased bladder pain, decreased frequency or urgency of urination) AND
  3. The patient has had an eye exam with an eye specialist (e.g., optometrist, ophthalmologist) within the last 12 months AND
  4. The patient does NOT have any FDA labeled contraindications to the requested agent AND
  5. The requested quantity (dose) does not exceed the FDA labeled dose for the requested indication

Length of Approval:  12 months

 

 

This pharmacy policy is not an authorization, certification, explanation of benefits or a contract. Eligibility and benefits are determined on a case-by-case basis according to the terms of the member’s plan in effect as of the date services are rendered. All pharmacy policies are based on (i) information in FDA approved package inserts (and black box warning, alerts, or other information disseminated by the FDA as applicable); (ii) research of current medical and pharmacy literature; and/or (iii) review of common medical practices in the treatment and diagnosis of disease as of the date hereof. Physicians and other providers are solely responsible for all aspects of medical care and treatment, including the type, quality, and levels of care and treatment.


The purpose of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama’s pharmacy policies are to provide a guide to coverage. Pharmacy policies are not intended to dictate to physicians how to practice medicine. Physicians should exercise their medical judgment in providing the care they feel is most appropriate for their patients.

Neither this policy, nor the successful adjudication of a pharmacy claim, is guarantee of payment.

           

                         

Commercial _ PS _ Elmiron  (pentosan polysulfate sodium) _PA _ProgSum_ 10/1/2023