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Mesna Injection (Mesnex): Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

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Facts
Status:
Prescription (Rx)
Strength:
100 mg/mL
Brand names:
Drug class:
Active ingredient:

Source: FDA drug labeling via NLM DailyMed · About this document

Patient information: uses, side effects, how to take - Mesna Injection

What is the most important information I should know about Mesna Injection?

Mesna Injection can cause serious allergic reactions and skin reactions. These serious reactions can happen the first time you are treated with Mesna Injection or after several months of treatment with Mesna Injection. Stop treatment with Mesna Injection and go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you develop any of the symptoms listed below:

  • fever
  • swelling of your face, lips, mouth, or tongue
  • trouble breathing or wheezing
  • itching
  • burning
  • skin rash or hives
  • skin redness or swelling
  • skin blisters or peeling
  • feel lightheaded or faint
  • feel like your heart is racing
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • joint or muscle aches
  • mouth sores

See “What are the possible side effects of Mesna Injection?” for more information about side effects.

What is Mesna Injection?

Mesna Injection is a prescription medicine used to reduce the risk of inflammation and bleeding of the bladder (hemorrhagic cystitis) in people who receive ifosfamide (a medicine used to treat cancer).

Mesna Injection is not for use to reduce the risk of blood in the urine (hematuria) due to other medical conditions.

  • Do not receive Mesna Injection if you are allergic to mesna or any of the ingredients in mesna injection. See the end of this leaflet for a complete list of ingredients in Mesna Injection.

Before you receive Mesna Injection, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • are allergic to any medicines

  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Females who are able to become pregnant:

  • Your healthcare provider will verify if you are pregnant or not before you start treatment

with mesna and ifosfamide.

  • You should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with mesna

and ifosfamide and for 6 months after the last dose.

  • Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant during treatment with

mesna and ifosfamide.

Males with female partners who are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment with mesna and ifosfamide and for 3 months after the last dose.

You should also read the ifosfamide Prescribing Information for important pregnancy, contraception, and infertility information.

  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if mesna passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for 1 week after the last dose of mesna or ifosfamide.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the- counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

How will I receive Mesna Injection?

  • Mesna is given on the same day that you receive ifosfamide.
  • Mesna can be given by an intravenous (IV) infusion into a vein or tablets taken by mouth.
  • You will receive mesna in one of two ways:
  • Mesna intravenous (IV) infusion into a vein at the time you receive ifosfamide

and 4 and 8 hours after you receive ifosfamide, OR

  • Mesna intravenous (IV) infusion into a vein at the time you receive ifosfamide and Mesna

tablets taken by mouth 2 and 6 hours after you receive ifosfamide.

  • Take mesna tablets at the exact times and the exact dose your healthcare provider tells you to take it.
  • During treatment with mesna by intravenous (IV) infusion or mesna tablets, you should drink 4 to 8 cups of liquid (1 to 2 liters) each day.
  • Tell your healthcare provider if you:
  • vomit within 2 hours of taking mesna tablets by mouth
  • miss a dose of mesna tablets
  • have pink or red colored urine

What are the possible side effects of Mesna Injection?

Mesna Injection may cause serious side effects, including:

See “What is the most important information I should know about Mesna Injection?”

  • Mesna Injection that is given by intravenous (IV) infusion contains the preservative benzyl alcohol. Benzyl alcohol has been shown to cause serious side effects and death in premature newborns and low-birth weight babies. Avoid use of Mesna Injection in premature newborns and low birth weight infants. Mesna tablets do not contain benzyl alcohol.

The most common side effects of Mesna Injection when given with ifosfamide include:

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • constipation
  • decreased white blood cell count
  • tiredness
  • fever
  • decreased appetite
  • decreased platelet count
  • decreased red blood cell count
  • diarrhea
  • weakness
  • stomach (abdomen) pain
  • headache
  • hair loss
  • sleepiness

These are not all the possible side effects of Mesna Injection.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

General information about the safe and effective use of Mesna Injection.

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. Do not use Mesna Injection for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give mesna injection to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them. You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about Mesna Injection that is written for health professionals.

What are the ingredients in Mesna Injection?

Active ingredient: mesna

Inactive ingredients: edetate disodium, sodium hydroxide, and benzyl alcohol as a preservative.

For more information, go to www.fresenius-kabi.com/us or call 1-800-551-7176.

This Patient Information has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Revised: 4/2019

About this document

Source: FDA drug labeling via NLM DailyMed · Application number: ANDA 075811 · View the label on DailyMed

Revision date stated in the text: April 2019

Found a mistake? Write to us via the contact page.

The information on this site does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.

Drug information for Mesna Injection

Rx or OTC
Prescription (Rx)?
  • This drug is available only with a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
  • Rx
Drug class Cytoprotective Agent
Active ingredient Mesna 100 mg/mL
Dosage form Injection, solution
Route Intravenous
Marketing status listed in the FDA NDC Directory
Company (applicant) FRESENIUS KABI USA
FDA approval ANDA 075811Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) – generic drug Approved April 26, 2001
Therapeutic equivalence (TE) code APCodes starting with A mean the FDA rates the drug therapeutically equivalent to its reference drug (Orange Book).
Generics Mesnex Injection with the same TE code
Manufacturers 6 labelers list this drug on DailyMed
Packages (NDC)
Package
100 mg/mL – 10 ml in 1 vial, multi-dose / 10 in 1 tray NDC 63323-733-01
100 mg/mL – 10 ml in 1 vial, multi-dose / 1 in 1 box NDC 63323-733-11

Source: FDA drug labeling via NLM DailyMed, data as of October 31, 2026. FDA data (DailyMed, Orange Book, Drug Shortages, enforcement reports). Not a substitute for the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.