Theracys (BCG Live (Intravesical)) Drug Overview of Side Effects and Precautions for Patients and Caregivers at RxList

Pill Identifier Search

May 27, 2012

Theracys

Bladder Cancer »

What is the bladder?

The urinary bladder, or the bladder, is a hollow organ present in the pelvis. Most of it lies behind the pubic bone of the pelvis but when full it can extend up into the lower part of the abdomen. Its primary function is to store urine that drains into it from the kidney through tube-like structures called the ureters. The ureters from both the kidneys open into the urinary bladder. The bladder forms a low-pressure reservoir which gradually stretches out as urine fills into it. In males, the prostate gland is located adjacent to the base of the bladder where urethra joins the bladder. From time to time, the muscular wall of the bladder contracts to expel urine through the urinary passage (urethra) into the outside world.

What are the layers of the bladder?

The bladder consists of three layers of tissue. The innermost layer of the bladder which comes into contact with the urine stored inside the bl...

Read the Bladder Cancer article »

« Previous
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Next »

Theracys

Breast Cancer Slideshow Pictures

Pancreatic Cancer Slideshow Pictures

Skin Cancer Slideshow Pictures

font size

Theracys Consumer (continued)

SIDE EFFECTS: Bladder irritation (e.g., difficult/painful/frequent/bloody urination), fever, or chills may occur. High/persistent fever may be a sign of an infection. Tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly if any of these effects occur, persist, or worsen. Your doctor may prescribe additional medications to help control these symptoms. Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or diarrhea may also occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: muscle/joint pain, pain/swelling of the testes, unusual tiredness, fast/pounding heartbeat, shortness of breath, cough, vision changes, redness/swelling/pain in the eye, eye sensitivity to light, severe stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing skin/eyes.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Contact your doctor for medical advice about side effects. The following numbers do not provide medical advice, but in the US, you may report side effects to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) at 1-800-822-7967. In Canada, you may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

PRECAUTIONS: Before receiving this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as latex), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: immune system problems (e.g., HIV, certain cancers such as leukemia/lymphoma), radiation treatment, current infection/fever (e.g., bladder infection, active tuberculosis), injury/procedure in the bladder within the last 7 days (e.g., catheterization, biopsy, signs of bloody urine).

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: certain blood vessel disease (aneurysm), man-made medical devices/parts in the body (e.g., pacemakers, artificial joints, arterial grafts).

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is recommended that women receiving this medication avoid pregnancy. Consult your doctor for more details and to discuss using at least 2 reliable forms of birth control (e.g., condoms, birth control pills) while receiving this medication. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor immediately.

It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.