Uses of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin

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Bacillus Calmette-Guerin is a tuberculosis vaccine. Currently, the drug Bacillus Calmette-Guerin is used under the role of cancer treatment, in which bladder cancer is the main indication of the drug.

1. What is Bacillus Calmette-Guerin?


Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is a attenuated strain of Mycobacterium bovis that can be used for the prevention of drug-induced tuberculosis as a live attenuated BCG vaccine. The drug Bacillus Calmette-Guerin can be given to people at high risk for TB. In addition, the drug Bacillus Calmette-Guerin is also used to treat bladder tumors or bladder cancer. The drug works against cancer as a biological response modifier, which has no direct anti-tumor effect, but is capable of triggering the immune system to attack tumors. BCG is thought to work by stimulating an immune response and causing inflammation of the bladder wall, which in turn destroys cancer cells in the bladder.

2. How to take the drug Bacillus Calmette-Guerin


Bacillus vaccines are injected into the skin to prevent tuberculosis . Or Bacillus Calmette-Guerin is given directly into the bladder through a catheter and left in the bladder for 1-2 hours. Dosage and schedule of drugs Bacillus Calmette-Guerin is used as prescribed by the treating doctor. It is not uncommon for patients to experience increased urination (requiring frequent urination) or painful urination for 48 hours after treatment with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin, if this persists after 48 hours, call 911. doctor or nurse for instructions.
Patients should limit fluid intake the night before the procedure and not drink water for 4 hours before. This allows the patient to retain urine during treatment. In addition, the area receiving the dose of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin will be more effective with less urine output during the procedure. If the patient is taking a diuretic, the patient will be asked not to take it for at least 4 hours before the procedure. A urinary catheter is inserted into the bladder and urine is drained out. BCG is inserted through a catheter into the bladder. The catheter can be withdrawn or clamped and left in place depending on your doctor's recommendations.
Patients need to keep Bacillus Calmette-Guerin in their bladder for 1-2 hours and may need to change positions every 15 minutes to ensure the medication reaches all areas of the bladder. Do this move by rolling to the sides.

3. Notes after treatment with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin


Try not to urinate for 1-2 hours after the procedure. Patients should sit to urinate for 6 hours after treatment to avoid splashing urine on the skin or exposing others to Bacillus Calmette-Guerin. Do not use public restrooms or urinate outside; In the first 6 hours after treatment, at each time the patient urinates, it is necessary to: Put 2 cups of household bleach in the toilet and close the lid. Wait 15-20 minutes and then flush the toilet. Wash hands and genitals with soap and water after urinating to remove traces of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin from the skin and prevent skin irritation. Drink plenty of water, starting after the first time urinating and for 8-12 hours after treatment with the drug Bacillus Calmette-Guerin to clear the bladder. If the patient has urinary incontinence, wash the garment immediately in the washing machine, do not wash it with other clothes. If using a pee pad, pour bleach on the pad, let it soak in, then put it in a plastic bag and throw it in the trash. Call the doctor at once if the patient has a fever (more than 38.5°C) or is shaking.

4. Drug interactions of the drug Bacillus Calmette-Guerin


Immunosuppressants and/or bone marrow suppressants and/or types of radiation interfere with the development of an immune response and must not be used in combination with BCG. Antibiotic therapy for other infections may affect the effectiveness of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin.

5. Possible side effects of the drug Bacillus Calmette-Guerin


Some of the most common or important side effects of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin:
Bladder discomfort: This medication may cause bladder irritation, including difficulty or pain urinating, blood in the urine, and increased sadness urination or frequency of urination. Patients are advised to increase fluid intake after taking Bacillus Calmette-Guerin to "wash out" the bladder. Any urinary symptoms listed above that persist for more than 48 hours should be reported to a physician for further management guidance. Fatigue: Fatigue is very common during cancer treatment, this is a feeling of exhaustion that often doesn't go away with rest. During cancer treatment and for some time afterward, patients may need to adjust their schedule to manage fatigue. Plan time to rest during the day and save energy for more important activities. Exercise can help fight fatigue; A simple daily walk with a friend can be helpful. Talk to your doctor for helpful tips on how to deal with this side effect. Flu-like symptoms: The patient's doctor or nurse may recommend medication and other strategies to reduce pain and general discomfort. BCG infection reaction: This rare reaction to the drug Bacillus Calmette-Guerin can occur after exposure to BCG, when given within a week of a biopsy, TUR (transurethral resection) surgery, or bladder catheterization due to trauma. Symptoms of a BCG reaction include: unexplained high fever lasting 24-48 hours or more, chills, confusion, dizziness or lightheadedness (symptoms of low blood pressure), or trouble breathing. Patients taking Bacillus Calmette-Guerin should notify their doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. BCG reactions can also cause pneumonia, hepatitis, prostatitis (infection or inflammation of the prostate gland), epididymitis (inflammation of the testicles), respiratory failure, and other symptoms of sepsis ( widespread infection).

6. Reproductive concerns


Men treated with this method can transmit the drug Bacillus Calmette-Guerin during sex. To protect your sexual partner from exposure to BCG, patients should not have sex for 48 hours after each treatment with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin. Use a condom if having sex at other times during treatment and for six weeks after treatment ends.
Bacillus Calmette-Guerin should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly needed. Women should be advised not to become pregnant while being treated with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin. Breast-feeding while taking Bacillus Calmette-Guerin is not recommended.
In a nutshell, the drug Bacillus Calmette-Guerin is a tuberculosis vaccine. Currently, the drug Bacillus Calmette-Guerin is used under the role of cancer treatment, in which bladder cancer is the main indication of the drug.
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Reference source: .oncolink.org

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