How does it work?

Mesna is not an anticancer medicine but is a medicine which is given specifically in combination with certain anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs called cyclophosphamide or ifosfamide.When given in high doses cyclophosphamide or ifosfamide can produce a toxic by-product called acrolein. This by-product can irritate and damage the lining of the bladder which can show up as blood in the urine (haemorrhagic cystitis). Mesna binds to acrolein in the urinary tract and prevents this damage from occuring.Mesna can be given by mouth or by intravenous injection.

What is it used for?

• Inflammation of the bladder causing damage and bleeding, often as a result of certain anti-cancer treatments

Warning!

• This medicine may interfere with urine tests for substances called ketones, causing the tests to give a "false positive" result, ie the test may say that ketones are present in the urine even if they are not. It is important that people with diabetes who are taking this medicine are aware of this effect.

Use with caution in

• No known conditions

Not to be used in

• Allergy to any thiol-containing medicines

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

• There are no known harmful effects when this medicine is used during pregnancy.
• There is no information available regarding the safety of this medicine during breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

• Headache
• Rash
• Diarrhoea
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Joint pain (arthralgia)
• Low blood pressure (hypotension)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Irritability
• Fluctuating abdominal pain (colic)
• Increased heart rate (tachycardia)

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

No known interactions