Cancer treatment is often a difficult and challenging journey. We know that various effects can occur on the body during this treatment. However, there are special medications that can protect you from those side effects and help make the journey a little easier for you. Today we are going to talk about such a "helper" that protects one important part of your body during cancer treatment. That is the Mesna vaccine.
What is Mesna? Simply put...
Imagine that you are given a chemotherapy drug called `ifosfamide` for cancer. This drug is very powerful in killing cancer cells. However, it can also cause some damage to your bladder, especially bleeding with your urine.
This is where a drug called Mesna comes in. Mesna is not a cancer drug. It acts like a "bodyguard" for the bladder. The main function of Mesna is to prevent the damage that the drug `ifosfamide` can cause to the bladder and prevent bleeding.
Importantly, Mesna only prevents bladder bleeding caused by the drug `ifosfamide`. It cannot prevent other side effects of cancer treatment, such as hair loss and nausea.
The most important things to tell your doctor before using this medicine are:
Before starting Mesna treatment, it is essential that your doctor is fully aware of your health condition. Be sure to tell him/her about the following in particular:
- If you have an autoimmune disease: For example, if you have diseases such as lupus, nephritis (a disease that affects the kidneys), or rheumatoid arthritis (an inflammatory condition of the joints).
- If you have any allergies: Tell your doctor if you are allergic to Mesna, any of the benzyl alcohol it may contain, any medicines containing sulfur, any other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives.
- If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding: It is very important to inform your doctor about these situations.
How is the Mesna vaccine given?
This medicine is not something you can take home. It is an injection that is given as an infusion into a vein, like saline. So it is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic. So you don't have to worry about missing a dose or missing a dose.
Children may need special care when giving this medicine. Your pediatrician will decide this and give it as needed.
What if I take too much medicine?
This is given in a hospital setting, so the chances of this happening are very low. However, if you suspect that you have overdosed, immediately contact the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the nearest Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) .
Things we should pay special attention to when taking this medicine:
Your doctor will be monitoring your condition regularly during your Mesna treatment, and it is important for you to be aware of these issues.
1. Drink plenty of water: You should drink at least a liter of water (about 4 glasses) every day while taking this medicine. This will help keep your bladder clean.
2. Pay attention to the color of your urine: If you notice that your urine is turning pink or red, it could be a sign of bleeding. As soon as you notice this, tell your doctor without delay.
3. Skin changes: Sometimes serious skin reactions can occur even weeks after starting this medication. Watch for these symptoms:
- A sudden rash with symptoms such as fever and chills.
- The lesions turn red or purple, then develop into blisters or the skin peels off.
- Red, itchy skin with swollen lymph nodes in the face, lips, neck, or armpits.
If you see something like this, seek medical advice immediately.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medication, Mesna can cause some side effects. Some of these should be reported immediately, while others are not as serious.
| Side Effect |
|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately |
| Allergic reactions such as skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips or tongue |
| Difficulty breathing |
| Blood in the urine or pink/red urine |
| Fever, chills, or sore throat |
| Redness of the skin or flushing |
| Mouth sores |
| Pain or redness at the injection site |
| Redness, blistering, peeling of the skin (even inside the mouth) |
| Ankle or foot swelling |
| Vomiting |
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor if they persist or are bothersome |
| Body aches and pains |
| Feeling an unpleasant taste in the mouth |
| Diarrhea |
| Dizziness |
| Hair loss |
| Headache |
| Nausea |
If you experience any other unusual symptoms not mentioned in this list, please inform your doctor about them as well.
Take-Home Message
- Mesna is not a cancer drug. It is a protective drug that prevents damage to the bladder caused by the cancer drug `ifosfamide`.
- Before starting treatment, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and allergies.
- Don't forget to drink plenty of water on the days you take this medicine.
- If your urine turns red/pink or you notice a serious skin reaction, notify your doctor immediately.
- Since this medicine is given in the hospital, you don't have to worry about missing a dose or hoarding it.
- If you have any questions or doubts about this medicine, don't be afraid to ask your doctor.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 Mesna / Mesnex vaccine/pills is a highly specific medicine given for which disease?
This is not an ordinary pill/anticancer drug! This is the only life-saving (Chemoprotectant) drug that can stop Hemorrhagic Cystitis (bleeding with urine) and 'protect the bladder 100%' for cancer patients who are given extremely severe/potent cancer injections called 'Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)' and 'Ifosfamide', which are caused by the deadly poison (Acrolein) produced by those injections, which completely injure the patient's bladder and cause bleeding!
💬 When cancer vaccines are going to burn the bladder, how does this vaccine (Mesna) protect the bladder?
When the cancer vaccine (Ifosfamide) is given to the body, it produces a toxin called 'Acrolein' that is so severe that it burns the flesh of the bladder. This toxin goes to the bladder. But if this 'Mesna' injection is given before the cancer drug is given, it goes directly to the bladder (Thiol group binds Acrolein) and turns that terrible toxin into something harmless, like sweet water! Then those cancer vaccines will only kill the cancer and not harm the bladder.
💬 What are the misconceptions and unbearable side effects that people using this drug (Mesna) should definitely be aware of?
The biggest misconception is that this does not protect organs other than the bladder (liver, kidneys, nerves) from the dangers of that cancer drug (other diseases will come anyway)! Also, after taking this medicine, some people may become allergic (Hypersensitivity) and experience rashes all over the body and their blood pressure may drop to zero. Another annoying thing is that even if you take it orally or inject it, you will definitely experience unbearable 'Nausea/Vomiting'.
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