Mesna
Description
Mesna is used to reduce the risk of hemorrhagic cystitis (inflammation of the bladder which may cause serious bleeding) associated with chemotherapeutic drugs ifosfamide and cyclophosphamide. This medicine should only be used under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.
QUICK LINKS:
Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Mesna
- Hypersensitivity
- Hypotension
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
- Blurred vision
- Sweating
- Loss of appetite
- Irregular breathing
- Anemia
Uses of Mesna
What is it prescribed for?
- Hemorrhagic cystitis prophylaxis
Read More
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the drug based on your clinical condition.
Hypersensitivity
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to mesna or any other components present along with it.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the drug based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Dermatologic toxicity
This medicine may cause Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) or Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) upon first exposure or several months after the exposure. Appropriate corrective measures or discontinuation of therapy may be required based on the clinical condition.
Laboratory test interferences
This medicine may give false positive results on laboratory tests for vitamin C and urine ketone bodies. It may also give false negative results on laboratory tests for Creatine Phosphokinase (CPK). It is advised that you inform the doctor about treatment with this medicine before undergoing any laboratory tests.
Adequate hydration
Adequate hydration after treatment with Mesna is recommended to prevent hematuria (blood in urine).
Missed Dose
Since this medicine is administered in the hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of missing a dose is very low. However, it is advised to contact the doctor if a dose of Mesna is missed and schedule the dose as soon as possible.
Overdose
Since this medicine is administered in the hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Warfarin
Anisindione
Disease interactions
Autoimmune disorders
Caution is advised while administering mesna to patients with autoimmune disorders due to the increased risk of anaphylactic reactions. This risk is especially higher in patients receiving high oral doses of mesna. It is advised to monitor the patient for any signs or symptoms such as shortness of breath, skin reactions, swelling of eyes or lips, etc. during treatment with this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Prematurity
The safety and efficacy of Mesna have not been established in pediatric patients. Mesna contains benzyl alcohol as a preservative. Benzyl alcohol has been associated with gasping syndrome and fatalities in premature infants, neonates, low-birth weight infants. Hence, it is advised that practitioners administering this medicine in pediatric patients should take into account the total metabolic load of benzyl alcohol from all sources before initiation of treatment.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Mesna injection and tablets are usually administered by a qualified healthcare professional. Carefully follow all the instructions given by your doctor. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable side effects. Ensure that the treatment course is completed. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Mesna binds to the breakdown products of cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide, acrolein, and protects the bladder from its harmful effects.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Cytoprotectants
Schedule
Schedule H
Mesna: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 28 August 2017]. Available from:
DailyMed - Mesnex - mesna tablet, film coated [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 28 August 2017]. Available from:
[Internet]. 2017 [cited 28 August 2017]. Available from:
Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 28 August 2017]. Available from:
Coenzyme M - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 28 August 2017]. Available from:
Mesna (substance) [Internet]. Snomedbrowser.com. 2017 [cited 28 August 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 13 Sep 2017
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.