Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Mesna for Injection
What the medication is used for:
Mesna for Injection is used for the reduction and prevention of bleeding in the bladder (hemorrhagic cystitis) caused by anti- cancer drugs such as cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide.
What it does:
Mesna for Injection helps to protect the lining of the bladder against damage from anti-cancer drugs. The body breaks down anti-cancer drugs to form products that can harm the bladder. Mesna for Injection works by making these breakdown products less harmful.
When it should not be used:
Mesna for Injection should not be used if:
You have a known allergy to mesna, any thiol-containing compound or to any of the nonmedicinal ingredients in particular benzyl alcohol.
What the medicinal ingredient is:
Mesna
What the nonmedicinal ingredients are:
Edetate Disodium, Sodium Hydroxide, Water for Injection, and Benzyl Alcohol as a preservative.
What dosage forms it comes in:
Mesna for Injection is available as 100 mg / mL in 10 mL multiple-dose vials.
| WARNING AND PRECAUTIONS |
BEFORE you use Mesna for Injection, talk to your doctor or pharmacist if:
- You have any allergies to this drug or other drugs similar to mesna, such as amifostine, penicillamine and captopril, or to any of its ingredients.
- You are scheduled to undergo urine screening tests.
You are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
You are nursing an infant.
You plan to drive or operate machinery.
- You have had previous reactions to mesna.
Mesna for Injection does not prevent hemorrhagic cystitis in all patients. Contact your doctor or nurse immediately if you notice that your urine is pink, red, or bloody.
INTERACTIONS WITH THIS MEDICATION
There are no known drug-drug interactions with Mesna for Injection
PROPER USE OF THIS MEDICATION
Usual dose:
Your doctor will determine what dose of Mesna for Injection is right for you and how often you should receive it.
Mesna can be taken intravenously or orally.
Mesna for Injection is available in 100 mg / mL for intravenous use only. Not for other routes of administration.
Overdose:
A specific antidote for mesna is not known.
| If you think you have taken too much Mesna for Injection, contact your healthcare professional, hospital emergency department or regional Poison Control Centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms. |
Missed Dose:
If you miss your scheduled treatment, contact your doctor or nurse as soon as possible to schedule your next treatment.
SIDE EFFECTS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM
Because Mesna for Injection is used in combination with other chemotherapy drugs, it is often difficult to distinguish side effects that may be caused by mesna from those caused by other drugs.
If you notice any changes in the way you feel during or after the treatment, tell your doctor or another member of your medical team immediately.
Like all medicines, mesna can cause side effects although not everybody gets them.
The following side effects may happen with this medicine: Very common (affects more than 1 in 10 people):
- Headache
- Reactions at the application site
ABOUT THIS MEDICATION
- Abdominal pain (colic)
- Feeling abnormally sleepy during the day
- Lightheadedness
- Fever
- Skin rash
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Flushing
- Flu-like symptoms (e.g., sore throat, fever, chills, shivering, cough, body aches)
If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or nurse promptly.
Mesna for Injection can cause serious side effects. These include severe skin rash and skin reactions that can cause death. These problems may occur any time during treatment, but more commonly occur during or after a first treatment or after several weeks of treatment with Mesna. Sometimes the first skin reaction occurs only after several months of treatment.
| SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS, HOW OFTEN THEY HAPPEN AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM | ||||
| Symptom / effect | Talk with your doctor or pharmacist | |||
| Only if severe | In all cases | |||
Skin rash caused by a reaction to drugs that includes the following symptoms:
| ✓ | |||
Red or inflamed eyes like “pink eye” (conjunctivitis) | ✓ | |||
| Liver problems | ✓ | |||
| Chest pain, rapid heart beat | ✓ | |||
| Breathing difficulties | ✓ | |||
Feeling unwell or like you have the flu. | ✓ | |||
| Tiredness | ✓ | |||
| Severe dizziness | ✓ | |||
This is not a complete list of side effects. For any unexpected effects while taking Mesna for Injection, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice. |
HOW TO STORE IT
Store the vials at 15 °C to 30 °C. Keep out of reach and sight of children.
MORE INFORMATION
If you want more information about Mesna for Injection:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for health professionals and includes this Consumer Information by visiting the Health Canada website (https://health-products.canada.ca/dpd-bdpp/index-eng.jsp); Fresenius Kabi Canada’s website (http://www.fresenius-kabi.com/en-ca/), or by calling 1-877-821-7724.
Fresenius Kabi Canada Ltd.
165 Galaxy Blvd, Suite 100
Toronto, ON M9W 0C8