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BCG intravesical

Generic name: BCG intravesical (bee cee jee)
Brand names: Tice BCG Live (for intravesical use), Tice BCG Vaccine, Theracys 3, TheraCys
Dosage form: intravesical powder for reconstitution (50 mg)
Drug class: Miscellaneous antineoplastics

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Apr 26, 2024. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is BCG?

BCG (Bacillus Calmette and Guérin) is a freeze-dried product made from bacteria. BCG increases certain white blood cells that destroy invading tumor cells in the bladder.

BCG is used to treat bladder cancer that is localized (has not spread to other parts of the body).

BCG may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

BCG side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Serious and sometimes fatal infections may occur during treatment with BCG.

BCG intravesical may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

About 4 to 6 hours after treatment, you may have bladder symptoms such as sudden urges to urinate, frequent urination, stomach discomfort, bloating, and possibly loss of bladder control. Tell your doctor right away if these side effects last for longer than 2 or 3 days.

Common side effects of BCG intravesical may include:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Bcg side effects (more detail)

Warnings

You should not receive BCG if you have tuberculosis, a fever, a bladder infection, blood in your urine, or a weak immune system (caused by disease or by using certain medicines).

You should also not receive BCG if you have had a bladder biopsy, surgery, or catheter within the past 14 days.

Serious and sometimes fatal infections may occur during treatment with BCG. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection (fever, chills, body aches).

Before taking this medicine

You should not receive BCG intravesical if you are allergic to BCG, or if you have:

Tell your doctor if you have any type of bacterial, fungal, or viral infection (including HIV).

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

You should not breastfeed while being treated with BCG.

How is BCG given?

BCG is injected directly into the bladder using a catheter inserted into the urethra (the tube for passing urine out of your bladder). You will receive this medicine in a clinic or hospital setting.

BCG is usually given once every week for 6 weeks, and then given every 3 to 6 months for up to 2 years. Follow your doctor's instructions about your specific dosing schedule.

You will need to hold the medicine in your bladder as long as possible up to 2 hours. During that time you will be encouraged to reposition from your left side to right side and also you should lie upon the back and the abdomen, changing these positions every 15 minutes to maximize bladder surface exposure to the agent.

For at least 6 hours after you are treated with BCG, your urine will still contain some of the medication and the bacteria it is made from. To prevent the spread of this bacteria, use a toilet rather than a urinal, and sit on the toilet while urinating.

Before you flush the toilet, disinfect the urine with household bleach in an amount that is approximately equal to how much you have urinated. Pour the bleach into the toilet in which you urinated, let it stand for 15 minutes and then flush.

Your doctor may ask you to drink extra fluids for several hours after your BCG treatment to help flush out your bladder. Follow all instructions.

Call your doctor right away if you have a fever after receiving BCG, especially if the fever lasts for several hours or longer.

This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using BCG.

Detailed Bcg dosage information

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your BCG treatment.

What happens if I overdose?

Since this medication is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.

What should I avoid while receiving BCG?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

What other drugs will affect BCG?

If you have an infection that must be treated with an antibiotic, you may need to stop receiving BCG for a short time. Antibiotics can make BCG less effective and should be avoided during your treatment with BCG. Follow your doctor's instructions and be sure to tell any other doctor who treats you that you are receiving BCG.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect BCG, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Bcg drug interactions (more detail)

rifampin, isoniazid, rifabutin, bcg, Tice BCG, Valstar, Rifadin, valrubicin

Frequently asked questions

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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