Some of the views expressed in the following notes on newly approved products should be regarded as preliminary, as there may have been limited published data at the time of publication, and little experience in Australia of their safety or efficacy. However, the Editorial Executive Committee believes that comments made in good faith at an early stage may still be of value. Before new drugs are prescribed, the Committee believes it is important that more detailed information is obtained from the manufacturer's approved product information, a drug information centre or some other appropriate source.
Uromitexan (Farmitalia Carlo Erba)
100 mg/mL in 2 mL, 4 mL and 10 mL single dose ampoules
Indication: prevention and reduction of urothelial toxicity
Alkylating agents such as cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide can cause haemorrhagic cystitis. Mesna can reduce this toxicity as it reacts with the metabolites which cause the adverse effects on the urothelium.
The drug is given intravenously at the same time as the alkylating agent and is then repeated after 4 and 8 hours. It is eliminated rapidly from the plasma and the majority of the dose is excreted renally within 4 hours.
As mesna is usually given with potent anticancer drugs, it is difficult to attribute adverse effects. Mesna may be associated with diarrhoea, headache and altered taste.
