Summary
Commonly reported side effects of bcg include: urinary tract infection, detrusor hyperreflexia of bladder, fever, hematuria, urinary frequency, urinary urgency, vomiting, chills, and malaise. Other side effects include: arthralgia. Continue reading for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.
Applies to bcg: intravesical powder for suspension.
Warning
Intravesical route (Powder for Suspension; Powder for Solution)
Bacillus of Calmette and Guérin (BCG) infections have been reported in health care workers and in patients because of exposure to the vaccine during preparation and administration. Serious and fatal disseminated BCG infections have occurred with intravesical administration. Manifestations of disseminated infection may not develop for months or years after therapy as BCG may persist in the urinary tract for several months after treatment. TheraCys® and TICE® BCG contain live attenuated mycobacteria and because of the potential risk for transmission, they should be prepared, handled, and disposed of as a biohazard material.
Serious side effects of Bcg
Along with its needed effects, bcg 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 as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur while taking bcg:
More common
- Blood in urine
- fever and chills
- frequent urge to urinate
- increased frequency of urination
- joint pain
- nausea and vomiting
- painful urination (severe or continuing)
Rare
- Cough
- skin rash
Other side effects of Bcg
Some side effects of bcg 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
- Burning during first urination after treatment
After you stop using this medicine, it may still produce some side effects that need attention. During this period of time, Check with your doctor immediately if you notice the following side effects:
- Cough
- fever
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to bcg: intravesical powder for reconstitution, percutaneous powder for injection.
Genitourinary
Very common (10% or more): Dysuria (60%), increased urgency/frequency (40%), drug induced cystitis (30%), bacterial cystitis (27%), hematuria (27%), pollakiuria
Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection, urinary incontinence, micturition urgency, urine analysis abnormal, bladder cramps, hemorrhage cystitis, urinary retention
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Bladder constriction, pyuria, ureteric obstruction
Rare (0.01 to less than 0.1%): Epididymitis
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Orchitis, balanoposthitis, prostatitis, vulvovaginal discomfort[Ref]
Other
Very common (10% or more): Malaise/fatigue/lethargy (19%), fever without infection (13%), influenza-like illness, pyrexia, rigors
Common (1% to 10%): Chills
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Reiter's syndrome, chest pain, peripheral edema, prostate specific antigen increased, weight decreased, BCG osteomyelitis[Ref]
Nervous system
Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, vertigo
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Dysesthesia, hyperesthesia, paresthesia, somnolence, headache[Ref]
Hematologic
Common (1% to 10%): Anemia, leukopenia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pancytopenia, thrombocytopenia
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Lymphadenopathy
Frequency not reported: Axillary or cervical lymphadenopathy, regional suppurative lymphadenitis[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Dyspepsia, flatulence[Ref]
Immunologic
Common (1% to 10%): Infection
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Tuberculosis infections
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Disseminated BCG infection[Ref]
Dermatologic
Common (1% to 10%): Skin rash, sweats
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Rashes, eruptions and exanthema not otherwise classified
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Lupus vulgaris, alopecia, hyperhidrosis, granuloma[Ref]
Respiratory
Common (1% to 10%): Pneumonitis
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Cough
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Pharyngitis, bronchitis, dyspnea, rhinitis[Ref]
Renal
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Renal failure acute[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Common (1% to 10%): Arthralgia, arthritis, myalgia
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Back pain[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Common (1% to 10%): Allergic symptoms[Ref]
Hepatic
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hepatitis, hepatic enzyme increased[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hypotension[Ref]
Psychiatric
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Confusional state[Ref]
Metabolic
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Anorexia[Ref]
Ocular
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Conjunctivitis[Ref]
Local
Frequency not reported: Injection site reactions: Induration, pustule formation, ulceration, caseous lesions, purulent draining, tenderness, itching, papules[Ref]
