What is BCG?
BCG (Bacillus guerini and Calmette) is a product that has been dried and frozen and is created from bacteria. BCG enhances some white blood cell counts, which kill tumor cells invading the bladder. BCG can be used for treat bladder cancer that is localized (has not been able to spread to other parts of the body). BCG can also be used for reasons not mentioned in this guideline.
Side effects of BCG
Contact a medical professional immediately. Get medical attention immediately if you notice symptoms that indicate an allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your lips, face, or tongue. Sometimes fatal and serious infections can occur when treated with BCG. BCG intravenously can result in serious side effects. Contact your physician immediately if you suffer from:
- Fever, chills, aches, weakness, flu-like symptoms.
- Cough or trouble breathing.
- Discomfort or burning sensation during urination.
- A sluggish stream of urine, a problem emptying your bladder.
- Urine with blood and dark urine.
- Vomiting, upper stomach pain.
- Jaundice (yellowing of your eyes or skin).
- Indications of symptoms of a sign of penis inflammation—burning, itching discharge, odor tenderness, redness, pain or swelling around the rectal or genital area, fever, or not feeling well.
Within 4 to 6 hours following treatment, you may be experiencing bladder issues such as rapid urges to urinate or frequent urination, stomach discomfort, bloating, and the loss of control over your bladder. Inform your doctor immediately if these symptoms last for more than two or three days.
Common adverse consequences of BCG intravesicals could include:
- Increased urination.
- Urination that is painful.
- Fever.
- Influenza symptoms.
This list does not represent all possible side effects associated with using Cialis. Other side effects could occur. Consult your physician to seek medical advice on the effects. You can report any side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Warnings
You shouldn't be receiving BCG in the event that you suffer from tuberculosis, fever, a urinary infection, urine with blood, or a compromised immune system (caused by illness or the use of certain medications). Also, you should not get BCG if you've undergone a bladder biopsy operation or catheterization in the last 14 days. Sometimes fatal infections can occur while using BCG. Contact your physician right away if you notice symptoms of an infection (fever, chills, and body discomforts).
Before you take this drug
You shouldn't receive BCG intravenously if you're sensitive to BCG or are:
- Tuberculosis.
- An insufficient immune system to diseases like AIDS, leukemia, and lymphoma.
- A fever, bladder infection, or the presence of blood in your urine.
- If you are taking steroids or receiving radiation or chemotherapy.
- If you've had a bladder biopsy procedure or catheter in the last 14 days.
Inform your physician if you are suffering from any type of fungal, bacterial, or viral disease (including HIV). No one knows if or how this medication could influence a newborn baby. Inform your doctor if you are expecting or planning to be pregnant. It is not recommended to breastfeed during treatment with BCG.
How to take BCG?
BCG is administered straight into your bladder through catheters that are inserted into the urethra (the tube that allows you to pass urine from the bladder). The medicine is administered in a hospital or clinic environment. BCG is typically administered each week for six weeks. Then it is given at intervals of 3–6 months, for up to 2 years. Follow the instructions of your physician regarding the specific dosage schedule you're given. You'll need to hold the medication in your bladder for as long as you can, for up to two hours. In that time, you will be advised to change positions from your left to your right side, and you must lie on your abdomen and back, switching positions every 15 minutes, in order to increase the surface area of your bladder exposed to the medication.
At least six hours after treatment with BCG, the urine you pass through may contain traces of the medicine and the bacteria it's made of. To avoid the spread of the bacteria, you should use a toilet instead of a toilet and lie in the bathroom while you urinate. Before flushing the toilet, clean the urine using household bleach in a quantity that is about the same as how many times you have been urinating. Pour bleach into the bathroom that you have urinated in, then let it sit for 15 minutes before you flush. The doctor may advise you to drink additional fluids for a few hours following the BCG treatment to aid in flushing the bladder. Follow all directions. Contact your physician immediately in the event of an increase in temperature after receiving BCG, in particular if your fever lasts more than an hour or so. This medication can alter the outcomes of certain medical tests. Inform any physician who treats your condition that you are taking BCG.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Consult your physician for treatment in the event that you don't make an appointment to receive your BCG treatment.
What happens if I overdose?
Because this medication is administered by a medical expert in a medical environment, the risk of overdose is less likely to occur.
What should be avoided?
Follow your doctor's advice regarding restrictions on drinks, food, or any activity.
Interaction with other drugs
If you are suffering from an infection that requires treatment with antibiotics or other treatment, you might need to stop taking BCG for a short period of time. Antibiotics could make BCG less effective and must be avoided during treatments with BCG. Follow the instructions of your physician and ensure that you tell any other doctor treating your patients that you're receiving BCG.
Inform your doctor about any other medications, particularly
- As an antibiotic.
- Radiation or chemotherapy.
- Medication to prevent an organ transplant rejection medicine to prevent rejection of organ transplants.
- Treatments for various forms of sclerosis, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other conditions that cause autoimmune disease.
This list isn't exhaustive. Other medications can affect BCG, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. The interactions of all drugs are included here.
