Drug information of BCG vaccine

Mechanism of effect

Live, attenuated strain of bacillus Calmette-Guerin Mycobacterium bovis; stimulates immune response when used intravesiularly for treatment of bladder carcinoma in situ; superficial tomor cells of the urothelium are destroyed following a local inflammatory response where macrophage and leukocyte infiltration of the bladder.

Drug indications

Bladder Cancer

Dosage

Adult

Carcinoma in Situ (CIS) of the Urinary Bladder

Tice BCG: 1 vial of Tice BCG suspended in preservative-free saline 50 mL instilled into bladder by gravity flow via catheter; agent should be retained in bladder 2 hr and then voided

Drug contraindications

fever , Tuberculosis - Active

Side effects

anemia , Pain , Diarrhea , Frequent urination , weight decrease , nausea , vomiting , fever , Flu-like symptoms , anorexia , urinary retention , pneumonia , skin rush , blood in the urine , Abdominal pain , Leukopenia , thrombocytopenia

Interactions

Anti-thymocyte , Ethambutol , Piperacillin , Ceftriaxone , Cefixime , Levofloxacin , Vincristin , Carbamazepine , Cloxacillin , Rifapentine , Teicoplanin | Targocid , Beclomethasone , Methotrexate , Hydroxy urea , Cabazitaxel , prednisone , Altretamine , Dexrazoxane , Cefadroxil , Delafloxacin , trabectedine , tedizolid , dicloxacillin , dinutuximab , Cefamandole , Secnidazole , Duvelisib , Plazomicin , Floxuridine , Telavancin , Edetate Calcium Disodium , Dupilumab , Ocrelizumab , Ofatumumab , vedolizumab , Muromonab-CD3 , Brodalumab , Carmustine , Temsirolimus , Rucaparib , Blinatumomab , Romidepsin , Dasatinib , Daclizumab , Venetoclax , Selinexor , Brentuximab , Raltitrexed , Cefiderocol

Alerts

Contains live, attenuated mycobacteria; potential risk for transmission

Prepare, handle, and dispose of as a biohazardous material

BCG infections have been reported in health care providers, primarily from exposures resulting from accidental needle sticks or skin lacerations during preparation for administration

Nosocomial infections have been reported in patients receiving parenteral drugs that were prepared in areas in which BCG live was reconstituted

Capable of infection dissemination when administered by intravesical route; serious infections, including fatal infections, have been reported

Points of recommendation

• If you have a latex allergy, talk with your doctor.
• Take extra care with your urine for the first 6 hours after getting BCG. Use the same toilet each time you use the bathroom at home. Sit down to urinate so your urine does not splash or spray.
• Before flushing, add an equal amount of bleach to the urine. Wait 15 minutes, then flush. Do this for the first 6 hours after BCG is given.
• It is fine to be around close contacts like household members, friends, and caregivers. However, do not allow anyone to come into contact with your urine.
• You may need a TB (tuberculosis) test before starting this medicine.
• This medicine may affect certain lab tests. Be sure your doctor and lab workers know you use BCG.
• Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using BCG while you are pregnant.
• You will need to try to keep BCG in your bladder for up to 2 hours, but no longer than 2 hours. This medicine will come out when you pass urine.
• Drink plenty of liquids that do not have caffeine for several hours after getting this medicine unless told to drink less liquids by your doctor. This helps to get rid of the drug from your bladder.

Pregnancy level

C

Related drugs

Pneumovax , Valrubicin