Consumer Information for: MESNA FOR INJECTION

Consumer Information

Information about the product including what the product is used for, dosage, warnings, proper use and side effects. This summary will not tell you everything about the product. Contact your healthcare professional if you have any questions about the product.


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 anticancer 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 non-medicinal ingredients are

Edetate Disodium, Sodium Hydroxide,

What dosage form it comes in

Mesna for Injection is available as 100 mg / mL in 10 mL multiple-dose vials.

Warnings 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
  • 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, nurse, or pharmacist only if severe Talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist in all cases
Skin rash caused by a reaction to drugs that includes the following symptoms:
  • Blisters
  • Mouth sores
  • Swelling of your face
  • Cough
  • Fever
   ✔
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.

How to store

Store the vials at 15 °C to 30 °C. Keep out of reach and sight of children.

Reporting side effects

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.

More information

If you want more information about Mesna for Injection:

This leaflet was prepared by

Fresenius Kabi Canada Ltd.
165 Galaxy Blvd, Suite 100
Toronto, ON M9W 0C8

Last Revised: July 30, 2019

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