Key facts
- Active ingredient
- Mesna
- Form
- Injectable, Tablet
- Strength
- Mesna 400MG
- Type
- Prescription (Rx)
- Brand or generic
- Brand-name
- May treat
- cystitis, hemorrhage
- Manufacturer
- Baxter Hlthcare
- FDA application
- NDA020855
What is Mesnex?
From the FDA label:MESNEX (mesna) is a detoxifying agent to inhibit the hemorrhagic cystitis induced by ifosfamide. The active ingredient, mesna, is a synthetic sulfhydryl compound designated as sodium-2-mercaptoethane sulfonate with a molecular formula of C 2 H 5 NaO 3 S 2 and a molecular weight of 164.18. Its structural formula is as follows: HS–CH 2 –CH 2 SO 3 –Na + MESNEX injection is a sterile, nonpyrogenic, aqueous solution of clear and colorless appearance in clear glass multidose vials for intravenous administration. MESNEX injection contains 100 mg/mL mesna, 0.25 mg/mL edetate disodium and sodium hydroxide for pH adjustment. MESNEX injection multidose vials also contain 10.4 mg/mL of benzyl alcohol as a preservative. The solution has a pH range of 7.5-8.5. MESNEX tablets are white, oblong, scored biconvex film-coated tablets with the imprint M4. They contain 400 mg mesna. The excipients are calcium phosphate, cornstarch, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, lactose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, povidone, simethicone, and titanium dioxide.
How to use
Mesnex is sold in more than one form (Injectable and Tablet), and each is dosed differently. The instructions below come from the FDA label for application NDA020855 — follow the label that came with the product you were actually prescribed.
MESNEX may be given on a fractionated dosing schedule of three bolus intravenous injections or a single bolus injection followed by two oral administrations of MESNEX tablets as outlined below. The dosing schedule should be repeated on each day that ifosfamide is administered. When the dosage of ifosfamide is adjusted, the ratio of MESNEX to ifosfamide should be maintained. ( 2 ) Intravenous Dosing Schedule: 0 Hours 4 Hours 8 Hours Ifosfamide 1.2 g/m 2 -- -- MESNEX injection 240 mg/m 2 240 mg/m 2 240 mg/m 2 Intravenous and Oral Dosing Schedule: 0 Hours 2 Hours 6 Hours Ifosfamide 1.2 g/m 2 -- -- MESNEX injection 240 mg/m 2 -- -- MESNEX tablets -- 480 mg/m 2 480 mg/m 2 Maintain sufficient urinary output, as required for ifosfamide treatment, and monitor urine for the presence of hematuria. ( 2.3 ) 2.1 Intravenous Dosing MESNEX may be given on a fractionated dosing schedule of three bolus intravenous injections as outlined below. MESNEX injection is given as intravenous bolus injections in a dosage equal to 20% of the ifosfamide dosage weight by weight (w/w) at the time of ifosfamide administration and 4 and 8 hours after each dose of ifosfamide. The total daily dose of MESNEX is 60% of the ifosfamide dose. The recommended dosing schedule is outlined below in Table 1. Table 1. Recommended Intravenous Dosing Schedule 0 Hours 4 Hours 8 Hours Ifosfamide 1.2 g/m 2 – – MESNEX…
Side effects
The following are discussed in more detail in other sections of the labeling. • Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] • Dermatological Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] • Benzyl Alcohol Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] • Laboratory Test Interferences [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] • Use in Patients with a History of Adverse Reactions to Thiol Compounds [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] The most common adverse reactions (> 10%) when MESNEX is given with ifosfamide are nausea, vomiting, constipation, leukopenia, fatigue, fever, anorexia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, granulocytopenia, diarrhea, asthenia, abdominal pain, headache, alopecia, and somnolence. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Baxter Healthcare at 1-866-888-2472, or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. MESNEX adverse reaction data are available from four Phase 1 studies in which single intravenous doses of 600-1200 mg MESNEX injection without concurrent chemotherapy were administered to a total of 53 healthy volunteers and single oral…
Warnings
Important safety information
Hypersensitivity reactions: Anaphylactic reactions have been reported. Less severe hypersensitivity reactions may also occur. Monitor patients. If a reaction occurs, discontinue MESNEX and provide supportive care. ( 5.1 ) • Dermatologic toxicity: Skin rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and toxic epidermal necrolysis have occurred. Skin rash, urticaria, and angioedema have also been seen. Monitor patients. If a reaction occurs, discontinue MESNEX and provide supportive care. ( 5.2 ) • Benzyl alcohol toxicity: Serious and fatal adverse reactions can occur in premature neonates and low-birth weight infants treated with benzyl alcohol-preserved drugs, including MESNEX injection. Avoid use in premature neonates and low-birth weight infants. ( 5.3 ) • Laboratory test alterations: False positive tests for urinary ketones and interference with enzymatic CPK activity tests have been seen. ( 5.4 ) 5.1 Hypersensitivity Reactions MESNEX may cause systemic hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis. These reactions may include fever, cardiovascular symptoms (hypotension, tachycardia), acute renal impairment, hypoxia, respiratory distress, urticaria, angioedema, laboratory signs of disseminated intravascular coagulation, hematological abnormalities, increased liver enzymes, nausea, vomiting, arthralgia, and myalgia. These reactions may occur with the first exposure or after several months of exposure. Monitor for signs or symptoms. Discontinue MESNEX and provide supportive care. 5.2 Dermatologic Toxicity Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms and bullous and ulcerative skin and mucosal reactions, consistent with Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis have occurred. MESNEX may cause skin and mucosal reactions characterized by urticaria, rash, erythema, pruritus, burning sensation, angioedema, periorbital edema, flushing and stomatitis. These reactions may occur with the first exposure or after several months of exposure. Discontinue MESNEX and provide supportive care. 5.3 Benzyl Alcohol Toxicity Serious adverse reactions including fatal reactions and the “gasping syndrome” occurred in premature neonates and low-birth weight infants who received benzyl alcohol dosages of 99 to 234 mg/kg/day (blood levels of benzyl alcohol were 0.61 to 1.378 mmol/L). Symptoms associated with “gasping syndrome” and other potential adverse reactions include gradual neurological deterioration, seizures, intracranial hemorrhage, hematological abnormalities, skin breakdown, hepatic and renal failure, hypotension, bradycardia, and cardiovascular collapse. Premature neonates and low-birth weight infants may be more likely to develop these reactions because they may be less able to metabolize benzyl alcohol. The minimum amount of benzyl alcohol at which toxicity may occur is not known. MESNEX injection contains 10.4 mg/mL of the preservative benzyl alcohol. Avoid use of MESNEX injection in premature neonates and low-birth weight infants. MESNEX tablets do not contain benzyl alcohol [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4) ]. 5.4 Laboratory Test Interferences False-Positive Urine Tests for Ketone Bodies A false positive test for urinary ketones may arise in patients treated with MESNEX when using nitroprusside sodium-based urine tests (including dipstick tests). The addition of glacial acetic acid can be used to differentiate between a false positive result (cherry-red color that fades) and a true positive result (red-violet color that intensifies). False-Negative Tests for Enzymatic CPK Activity MESNEX may interfere with enzymatic creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) activity tests that use a thiol compound (e.g., N-acetylcysteine) for CPK reactiviation. This may result in a falsely low CPK level. False-Positive Tests for Ascorbic Acid MESNEX may cause false-positive reactions in Tillman’s reagent-based urine screening tests for ascorbic acid. 5.5 Use in Patients with a History of Adverse Reactions to Thiol Compounds MESNEX is a thiol compound, i.e., a sulfhydryl (SH) group-containing organic compound. Hypersensitivity reactions to mesna and to amifostine, another thiol compound, have been reported. It is not clear whether patients who experienced an adverse reaction to a thiol compound are at increased risk for a hypersensitivity reaction to MESNEX.
Who should not take Mesnex
MESNEX is contraindicated in patients known to be hypersensitive to mesna or to any of the excipients [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. • Known hypersensitivity to mesna or to any of the excipients in MESNEX, including benzyl alcohol. ( 4 )
Overdose — what happens if you take too much
There is no known antidote for MESNEX. In a clinical trial, 11 patients received intravenous MESNEX 10 mg/kg to 66 mg/kg per day for 3 to 5 days. Patients also received ifosfamide or cyclophosphamide. Adverse reactions included nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and fever. An increased rate of these adverse reactions has also been found in oxazaphosphorine-treated patients receiving ≥80 mg MESNEX per kg per day intravenously compared with patients receiving lower doses or hydration treatment only. Postmarketing, administration of 4.5 g to 6.9 g of MESNEX resulted in hypersensitivity reactions including mild hypotension, shortness of breath, asthma exacerbation, rash, and flushing.
U.S. Poison Control: call or text 1-800-222-1222 (free, 24/7). In an emergency call 911. From the FDA label; not medical advice.
Interactions
No clinical drug interaction studies have been conducted with MESNEX.
Storing Mesnex, and how long it keeps
Quoted from this product’s own FDA label. Storage belongs to the product and its device, not to the drug in general — a pen and a tablet of the same medicine are kept completely differently.
- “Store MESNEX tablets at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).”
May treat (source: NIH RxClass)
Dosage forms
Injectable and Tablet
The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.
Ways to save
Ask for the generic
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Request a 90-day supply
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Use copay cards
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Frequently asked questions
- What does Mesnex treat?
- Mesnex (Mesna) may be used to treat cystitis, hemorrhage, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.
- Is there a coupon or discount for Mesnex?
- pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Mesnex. To pay less, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent exists, check the manufacturer's copay/savings card and patient-assistance program, and compare a pharmacy discount card against your insurance copay. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.
- Who makes Mesnex?
- Mesnex is marketed by Baxter Hlthcare. You can see Baxter Hlthcare's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.
- Is Mesnex a brand-name or generic drug?
- Mesnex is a brand-name product with the active ingredient Mesna.
- Is Mesnex available over the counter?
- No. Mesnex is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.
- What forms does Mesnex come in?
- Mesnex is currently marketed as injectable and tablet, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
- Is Mesnex FDA-registered?
- Mesnex is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number NDA020855. You can verify this on its official FDA label.
- Is Mesnex safe?
- There's no single safe-or-not verdict, and we don't yet have a composite recall-safety score for Mesnex. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings below, and always consult a licensed professional.
- What are the side effects of Mesnex?
- Mesnex's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: The following are discussed in more detail in other sections of the labeling. • Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] • Dermatological Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] • Benzyl Alcohol Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] • Laboratory Test Interfere… Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.
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