Uses
This medication is used to reduce the risk of bleeding in the bladder (hemorrhagic cystitis), which is a very serious side effect of treatment with a cancer chemotherapy drug called ifosfamide. Mesna helps to protect the lining of the bladder against damage from ifosfamide. The body breaks down ifosfamide to form a product that can harm the bladder, and mesna works by making this product less harmful. However, mesna does not change ifosfamide's anti-cancer effects.
Other Uses
This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.
This drug may also be used to reduce the risk of bleeding in the bladder caused by another cancer chemotherapy drug called cyclophosphamide.
How To Use
Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using mesna and with each treatment cycle. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
This medication is given by injection into a vein by a health care professional. Dosage is based on your body size and your dose of ifosfamide (or cyclophosphamide).
While using this medication, drink at least a quart (4 cups or 1 liter) of liquid each day unless directed otherwise by your doctor. Doing so will also help to reduce the bladder side effects from ifosfamide.
Mesna is very effective in reducing the risk of hemorrhagic cystitis in most patients. However, it may not work in a small number of patients. Tell your doctor right away if you notice that your urine is pink, red, or bloody.
Side Effects
Headache, redness/pain/swelling at the injection site, flushing, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, constipation, sensitive skin, or flu-like symptoms (such as sore throat, cough, body aches) may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including:
- fast heartbeat
- swelling ankles/feet
- muscle weakness
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including:
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:
- fever
- swollen lymph nodes
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US -
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Precautions
Before using mesna, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as benzyl alcohol found in some brands), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- overactive immune system diseases (autoimmune disorders) that may increase your risk for a mesna allergy (such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, nephritis)
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Since mesna is used with a chemotherapy drug, you should not become pregnant during treatment because the chemotherapy drug may harm an unborn baby. Ask about reliable forms of birth control while using this medication and chemotherapy. If you become pregnant, talk to your doctor right away about the risks and benefits of mesna and the chemotherapy drug.
It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Since mesna is given with a chemotherapy drug, breast-feeding while using this medication is not recommended during treatment and for 1 week after the last dose of mesna or the chemotherapy drug. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Drug Interactions
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
This medication may interfere with a certain laboratory test (for urinary ketones), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.
Overdose
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Alberta residents can call PADIS (Poison and Drug Information Service) 24 hours a day at 1-800-332-1414. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.
Notes
This medication does not protect you from other side effects of ifosfamide. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information on how to manage other side effects.
Small amounts of blood in the urine cannot be seen without a microscope. A lab test to check for blood in your urine should be done before each dose of ifosfamide. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.
Missed Dose
It is important to get each dose of this medication as scheduled. If you miss a dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist right away for a new dosing schedule.
If you have questions about missing a dose or you don't have more medication, contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
Storage
Consult the product instructions and your pharmacist for storage details. Keep all medications away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.
