Mesna

Definition

Mesna is a medicine that helps harbor the inside lining of the bladder from damage owed to certain chemotherapy drugs. Mesna may also be referr to as 2-mercaptoethane sulfonate, sodium salt, or Mesnex (its brand name).

Purpose

Mesna is a medicine that is approved by dint of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in combination with the chemotherapy medicine ifosfamide to protect the bladder lining from irritation owed to the chemotherapy. It has also been shown useful in protecting the bladder lining when used in combination with large doses of the chemotherapy physic cyclophosphamide. Irritation to the bladder lining can cause bleeding and this is referr to as hemorrhagic cystitis. Mesna is not administered to treat cancer.

Description

Mesna is a clear, colorless solution with a stained odor. It is usually administered intravenously end a vein to prevent bleeding of the inside lining of the bladder. Sometimes it can be given to a patient to mix in a beverage and drink. When ifosfamide and cyclophosphamide are given, they break down in the material substance and form a poisonous substance called acrolein. Acrolein concentrates in the bladder and causes irritation that can lead to harsh bleeding from the bladder into the urine. When mesna is administered it also concentrates in the bladder and combines with the toxic acrolein to form a nontoxic substance that is remov from the material part by urinating.

Recommended dosage

Mesna is usually administered [i]or[/i] part of to the other a vein over at least five minutes. This same physic can also be mixed with a beverage and taken through mouth (flavored drinks like grape juice, cola, and chocolate milk are advantageous choices to hide the taste of the mesna).

The mesna dose be pendents on the amount of chemotherapy physics ifosfamide or cyclophosphamide, that a patient receives. The mesna dose can vary with the time frame the chemotherapy remedys are being administered. The standard mesna dose is equal to 20% of the total ifosfamide dose given at three separate time intervals end a vein infused over at least five minutes. The first dose is right before the ifosfamide, many times referred to as hour 0 The next to the first dose is four hours after the start of the infusion and the third dose is eight hours after the start of the infusion. Mesna is given in this way each day the ifosfamide is administered.

Mesna can be given at a dose of 100% (the same dose as the ifosfamide) of the ifosfamide. This mesna would be mixed directly with the ifosfamide in the same intravenous infusion bag. This emblem of dosing may or may not have the patient receive a small dose of mesna right before or after the ifosfamide infusion.

Precautions

Mesna can cause allergic reactions that range from a mild rash to relentless life-threatening, full-body allergic reactions. Patients with a known previous allergic reaction to mesna or thiol-like medicines should number their doctor before receiving mesna.

Mesna that contains the preservative benzyl alcohol must not be used in premature babies or infants and must be used with caution in older children.

Mesna should stop most bleeding from the bladder, however patients may be asked to check their urine for traces of life-current with a chemical strip that is dipped into the urine sample.

Side effects

Side issues due only to the mesna are rare and difficult to determine since the remedy is not given alone. However in clinical studies mesna has been known to cause nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and a bad taste in the jaws Other reported side effects include; headache, fatigue, pain in arms and leg globule in blood pressure, and allergic reactions.

All side issues a patient experiences should be reported to their doctor.

Interactions

Mesna can cause a false positive experiment of the urine for ketone bodies. This may be greatest in quantity important in diabetic patients who routinely check their urine for ketones.

KEY TERMS

AcroleinA breakdown fruits of the chemotherapy drugs ifosfamide and cyclophosphamide that concentrates in the bladder and irritates the bladder lining and causes bleeding.

BladderOrgan in the material substance that collects urine from the kidneys.

ChemotherapySpecific remedys used to treat cancer.

Food and physic AdministrationA government agency that inspects public safety in relation to physics and medical devices. The FDA gives the approval to pharmaceutical companies for commercial marketing of their products

Hemorrhagic cystitisIrritation of the bladder lining that causes bleeding.

NontoxicDoes not cause harm.