Note: This document contains side effect information about mesna. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Mesnex.

Applies to mesna: oral tablet. Other dosage forms:

• intravenous solution

Serious side effects of Mesnex

Along with its needed effects, mesna (the active ingredient contained in Mesnex) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking mesna:

More common

• Black, tarry stools
• bleeding gums
• bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
• blood in the urine
• chest pain
• chills
• cough
• decreased urination
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• fainting
• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• fever
• increased thirst
• lightheadedness
• loss of appetite
• mood changes
• muscle pain or cramps
• nausea
• numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
• painful or difficult urination
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• rapid breathing
• rapid weight gain
• seizures
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• sunken eyes
• swelling
• swollen glands
• tightness in the chest
• trouble breathing
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• unusual weight gain or loss
• vomiting
• wrinkled skin

Less common

• Blurred vision
• confusion
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• sweating

Incidence not known

• Coughing or spitting up blood
• dark urine
• general tiredness and weakness
• headache
• light-colored stools
• nervousness
• pounding in the ears
• slow or fast
• upper right abdominal or stomach pain
• yellow eyes and skin

Other side effects of Mesnex

Some side effects of mesna may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Diarrhea
• difficulty having a bowel movement
• hair loss
• lack or loss of strength
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• stomach pain
• weight loss

Less common

• Back pain
• belching
• feeling of warmth
• heartburn
• increased sweating
• indigestion
• redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
• stomach discomfort or upset
• trouble sleeping

Incidence not known

• Change or loss of taste

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to mesna: injectable solution, intravenous kit, oral tablet.

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Nausea (65%), vomiting (35%), constipation (28%), anorexia (21%), abdominal pain/colic (14%), diarrhea

Common (1% to 10%): Dyspepsia, dehydration, anorexia, mucosal irritation, flatulence, burning pain (substernal/epigastric), gingival bleeding

Frequency not reported: Dry mouth, bad taste

Postmarketing reports: Dysgeusia^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Very common (10% or more): Leukopenia (25%), thrombocytopenia (21%), anemia (20%), granulocytopenia (16%)

Common (1% to 10%): Lymphadenopathy

Frequency not reported: Activated partial thromboplastin time prolonged

Postmarketing reports: Decrease in lymphocyte count (generally reversible within one week)^[Ref]

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Lightheadedness, lethargy/drowsiness

Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, headache, pain, somnolence, paresthesia, hyperesthesia, syncope, hypoesthesia, attention disturbance

Postmarketing reports: Convulsion^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Very common (10% or more): Chest pain (10%)

Common (1% to 10%): Hypotension, tachycardia, palpitations

Postmarketing reports: Hypertension^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Common (1% to 10%): Back pain, arthralgia, myalgia, pain in extremity, pain in jaw

Frequency not reported: Rigors^[Ref]

Metabolic

Very common (10% or more): Hypokalemia (10%)^[Ref]

Renal

Frequency not reported: Acute renal failure^[Ref]

Other

Very common (10% or more): Fatigue (24%), fever (24%), asthenia (15%), flushing

Common (1% to 10%): Edema, peripheral edema, facial edema, pallor, insomnia, nightmares

Frequency not reported: Fever, malaise^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Very common (10% or more): Alopecia (12%), rash

Common (1% to 10%): Hyperhidrosis, pruritus

Frequency not reported: Erythema multiforme, drug rash, ulcerations and/or bullae/blistering, angioedema, urticaria, burning sensation, erythema^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Common (1% to 10%): Hematuria, dysuria^[Ref]

Hepatic

Postmarketing reports: Hepatitis^[Ref]

Immunologic

Common (1% to 10%): Pneumonia

Frequency not reported: Influenza-like symptoms^[Ref]

Local

Very common (10% or more): Infusion site pruritus, infusion site rash

Common (1% to 10%: Infusion site pain, infusion site erythema, infusion site urticaria, infusion site swelling^[Ref]

Ocular

Common (1% to 10%): Conjunctivitis, photophobia, blurred vision^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Common (1% to 10%): Anxiety, confusion^[Ref]

Respiratory

Very common (10% or more): Dyspnea (11%)

Common (1% to 10%): Cough, nasal congestion, pleuritic pain, bronchospasm, laryngeal discomfort, epistaxis

Frequency not reported: Pharyngitis, rhinitis, respiratory distress, hypoxia

Postmarketing reports: Hemoptysis^[Ref]