Mesna: function, dosage, side effects, how to use it

Mesna What Medicine?

What's mesna for?

Mesna is a drug commonly used to reduce the risk of bladder bleeding (hemorrhagic cystitis) during chemotherapy treatment with ifosfamide and cyclophosphamide.

This drug works by releasing sulfhydryl compounds which are free radical scavengers. That way, the lining of the bladder can be protected from damage caused by the use of the chemotherapy drugs ifosfamide and cyclophosphamide. Even so, this drug is unable to prevent other side effects caused by the two chemotherapy drugs.

Mesna is a strong drug so its use must be closely monitored by a doctor.

Your doctor may be able to prescribe mesna medication for other purposes not described in the following review. Please ask your doctor directly to find out more information about this drug.

How do you use mesna medicine?

This medicine can be taken orally or given intravenously by injection into a vein. Ask your doctor when is the right time to take it and how many doses are needed.

As for injectable drugs, you may not be allowed to use this drug alone. As a result, you have to go to a clinic or hospital to get one. Usually the doctor or nurse will give this drug at the same time when you are using the chemotherapy drug ifosfamide.

Before and while using this medicine, you may need periodic urine tests. This is done to see how your body responds to the treatment.

Tell your doctor right away if you continue to vomit within 2 hours of taking oral mesna. You may need a repeat dose or receive this drug by injection into a vein.

You should also tell your doctor immediately if your urine is red, pink, or accompanied by fresh blood. Discolored urine could be a sign that your ifosfamide dose needs to be changed.

While using this drug, drink plenty of water. Because, drinking lots of fluids will help reduce the side effects of the chemotherapy drug ifosfamide.

Basically, use whatever medication your doctor recommends or is listed on the drug packaging label. Don't hesitate to ask your doctor or pharmacist directly if you don't really understand how to use it.

In addition, consult a doctor immediately if the condition does not improve or gets worse. Your doctor can change the dose of your medication or prescribe another one that's safer for you.

How to store mesna?

Mesna is a drug that should be stored at room temperature. Keep away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it.

Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed.

Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Mesna dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of mesna for adults?

The drug is given 2 hours before taking the ifosfamide drug and the administration will be repeated 2 and 6 hours after that. Meanwhile, injectable drugs are given together with the ifosfamid drug and the administration will be repeated 4 and 8 hours after that.

The dosage for each person may be different. The dosage of drugs is usually adjusted according to the patient's age, overall health condition, and their response to treatment.

Be sure to always consult a doctor or pharmacist before taking any type of medication. This is to ensure that you are taking the drug according to the recommended dosage.

What is the dose of mesna for children?

There is no definite dosage requirement for children. The dosage of drugs for children is usually adjusted according to their weight, health condition, and their response to treatment.

This drug can be dangerous for children if used improperly. Therefore, consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

In what dosage is mesna available?

Mesna medicine is available as a solution for injection and tablets.

Mesna side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to mesna?

Just like other drugs, this drug also has the potential to cause mild to severe side effects. Some of the most common and frequently complained of side effects of mesna are:

• Nausea
• Gag
• Stomach ache
• Decreased appetite
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Sleepy
• The body is weak and not strong
• Headache
• Hair loss
• Mild fever
• Flu-like symptoms

Although it is very rare, some people can experience severe and sometimes even deadly side effects when using certain medications. Go to a doctor immediately or seek immediate medical attention if you experience a number of signs and symptoms that may be associated with serious side effects, such as:

• Rash
• Itching in part or all over the body
• Swelling of the throat, lips and tongue
• Peeling skin that is without or accompanied by fever
• An unusual hoarse voice
• Hard to breathe
• Chest pain
• Difficulty swallowing or speaking
• Bruising or bleeding easily
• Pale skin
• The body feels very weak and weak
• Black stool and darker colored urine
• Chronic diarrhea

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some unspecified side effects. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Mesna Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using mesna?

In order for this drug to provide optimal benefits, there are several things you need to know and do, including:

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to mesna, edetate sodium, sodium hydroxide, or benzyl alcohol.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the medicines you are currently taking or will be taking regularly. Whether it's prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, to natural medicines made from herbs. Your doctor may need to change the dose of your medication or watch you carefully for side effects.
• Tell your doctor if you have or have had autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or nephritis (a disorder of the kidneys).
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, are in the process of becoming pregnant, or are breastfeeding. Do not breastfeed while taking this medicine. If you become pregnant while taking the medicine, contact your doctor.

While using this medicine, your doctor may ask you to undergo periodic health checks. This is done to help doctors see the effectiveness of the treatment you are taking.

One of the most common side effects of this drug is stomach upset and diarrhea. If you experience both side effects for more than 3 days, go to a doctor immediately.

Since this drug can also cause dizziness and headaches, it is better if you do not drive a car / motorcycle and operate heavy machinery until the effects of the drug are completely gone. Don't hesitate to check with your doctor every time you feel something strange or unusual about your own body.

Also, be sure to follow all doctor's advice and / or therapist's instructions. Your doctor may need to change your medication dose or monitor you carefully to prevent certain side effects.

Is mesna safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There is no adequate research on the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication.

This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category B according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, or the equivalent of the Food and Drug Administration (BPOM) in Indonesia.

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

Meanwhile, for breastfeeding mothers, there is no clear evidence whether this drug harms the baby or not. To avoid various negative possibilities, do not take this medicine carelessly or without the doctor's permission.

Mesna Drug Interactions

What drugs may interact with mesna?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this article.

Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

A number of drugs that have the potential to cause negative interactions with mesna are:

• Warfarin
• Anisindione
• Dicumarol

Can food or alcohol interact with mesna?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or with certain foods, because they can cause drug interactions.

Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with mesna?

Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this drug. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

• Allergy to drugs containing sulfur
• Immune disorders such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
• Currently taking a cancer drug called cyclophosphamide
• Allergy to thiol compounds (for example, amifostine)
• Are or planning to become pregnant

Mesna overdose

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department. Bring a medicine box, container, or label with you when you go to the hospital to help the doctor with any necessary information.

When someone has an overdose, various symptoms that may arise are:

• Too low blood pressure (hypotension) which makes the head dizzy
• Fainting
• Fast and irregular heartbeat
• Slower than normal heart rate

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue on your dosing schedule. Do not use extra doses to make up for a missed dose.

If you continue to miss doses, consider setting an alarm or asking a family member to remind you.

Please consult with your doctor to discuss changes in your dosing schedule or a new schedule to make up for a missed dose, if you have missed too many doses recently.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.