Mesna

What is mesna?

Mesna is a medicine that is used to prevent bladder problems when taking the medicines, cyclophosphamide or ifosfamide.

You may also hear mesna called by its brand names Uromitexan. Mesna comes as a liquid that is usually given into a vein (intravenously) but may sometimes be given by mouth.

Before giving mesna to your child

Tell your doctor if your child has:

• reacted badly to mesna or any other medications in the past

How is mesna given?

Mesna is a clear liquid given by needle into your child's vein. Usually your child will get this medicine in the hospital clinic or the nursing unit. It is given during and after treatments with ifosfamide and with higher doses of cyclophosphamide.

Sometimes, mesna is given by mouth. Follow these instructions when giving mesna by mouth:

• Give mesna exactly as your child's doctor or nurse tells you to and at the times they tell you to.
• Talk to your child's doctor first before you stop giving this medicine for any reason or if your child is vomiting up this medicine.
• Measure the dose with the special spoon or syringe that the pharmacist gave you.
• To make mesna taste better, mix mesna with some fruit juice, cola, milk, or chocolate milk. Chilled grape juice may hide the taste of mesna best. Drinking the mesna/drink mixture may also be easier if a straw is used.
• If your child has an upset stomach, they can take mesna with some food.
• Have your child drink lots of water the day of and after the mesna treatment. Your child's doctor or nurse will tell you how much your child needs.
• Try to get your child to empty the bladder every two hours while awake and at bedtime. The doctor may also want your child to get up at night to empty the bladder. This helps prevent problems with the bladder and kidneys.

What should you do if your child misses a dose of oral mesna?

• Give the missed dose as soon as you remember.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, call your child's doctor to check what to do.

What are the possible side effects of mesna?

Your child may have some of these side effects while they take mesna. Check with your child's doctor if your child continues to have any of these side effects, and they do not go away, or they bother your child:

• diarrhea
• nausea
• vomiting
• unpleasant taste
• redness at the site of injection

Most of the following side effects are not common, but they may be a sign of a serious problem.
Call your child's doctor right away or take your child to Emergency if your child has any of these side effects:

• skin rash
• itching
• blood in the urine
• pain or increased frequency of urination

What safety measures should you take when your child is using mesna?

Although mesna is given to prevent bladder irritation and problems, these can still occur. Let your doctor or nurse know immediately if there is any blood seen in your child's urine.

Check with your child's doctor or pharmacist before you give your child any other medicine (prescription, non-prescription, herbal, or natural products).

If your child uses ketone test strips, mesna can give false positive results when testing for ketones in the urine.

What other important information should you know about mesna?

• Keep a list of all medications your child is on and show the list to the doctor or pharmacist.
• Tell your child's doctor or dentist that your child is taking mesna before your child has any kind of operation, even on teeth, or an emergency treatment.
• Do not share your child's medicine with others. Do not give anyone else's medicine to your child.
• If your child needs to take oral mesna at home, be sure you have arranged a supply before leaving the hospital. Most pharmacies will not carry this medication.
• Keep oral mesna at room temperature in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Do NOT store it in the bathroom or kitchen.
• Do not keep any medicines that are out of date. Check with your pharmacist about the best way to throw away outdated or leftover medicines.
  

Keep mesna out of your child’s sight and reach and locked up in a safe place. If your child takes too much mesna, call your local Poison Information Centre at one of these numbers. These calls are free. 

• Call 1-844 POISON-X, or 1-844-764-7669, from anywhere in Canada except Quebec.
• Call 1-800-463-5060 if you live in Quebec.