Mesna

Mesna is injected into a vein through a specially prepared site on your skin. The recommended dose is usually 20% of the dose of cyclophosphamide. The injection is given at the time of a cyclophosphamide dose injection, then 4 and 8 hours later.

In the case of ifosfamide, the recommended dose is 10 mg to 12 mg per kilogram of body weight at the time of the ifosfamide dose, and 4 and 8 hours later.

Mesna may also be given by mouth under certain circumstances. When this is the case, the dose may be higher than those suggested here.

Mesna may also be given to people being prepared for bone marrow transplantations. Under these circumstances, the doses may be given around the clock for a brief period of time.

Many things can affect the dose and schedule of medication that a person needs, such as body size, other medical conditions, and other medications. Your doctor may choose a different dose or schedule than the ones listed here. Mesna is always given under the direct supervision of your doctor.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Each mL of Mesna for Injection contains 100 mg of mesna. Nonmedicinal ingredients: benzyl alcohol, edetate disodium, water for injection, and sodium hydroxide for pH adjustment.

Mesna should not be used by anyone who is allergic to mesna or to any of the ingredients of the medication.

Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications that you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. In many cases, interactions are intended or are managed by close monitoring. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Mesna.

Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Mesna may cause drowsiness or dizziness, affecting your ability to drive or operate machinery. Avoid driving, operating machinery, or performing other potentially hazardous tasks until you have determined how Mesna affects you.

Tests for ketones in urine: Mesna may cause tests for ketones in the urine to be falsely positive.

Pregnancy: Mesna should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Mesna, contact your doctor immediately. Because the use of oxazaphosphorines is not recommended during pregnancy, pregnant women should not need to take mesna.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if mesna passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Mesna, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Mesna is used to protect the bladder against some of the harmful effects of certain cancer medications known as oxazaphosphorines (e.g., Cyclophosphamide, Ifosfamide). After injection, mesna stays in the blood and is quickly moved to the kidney. Once in the kidney, it attaches to the by-products of cancer medications that can cause harm to the bladder, making them harmless.

Mesna may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of Mesna may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of Mesna may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested Mesna for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are being given Mesna, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking Mesna without consulting your doctor.