The following Structured Product Label (SPL) was submitted to the FDA by Hikma Pharmaceuticals Usa Inc. for the product Mesna (NDC 0143-9260). This document serves as the official prescribing information, containing essential scientific data and clinical materials required for healthcare providers and patients.
This specific version of the label includes detailed information regarding 1 indications and usage, 2.1 intravenous dosing, 2.3 monitoring for hematuria, 2.4 preparation for intravenous administrationand stability, 3 dosage forms and strengths, 4 contraindications, 5.1 hypersensitivity reactions, 5.2 dermatologic toxicity, and other regulatory disclosures. Use the navigation below to review specific sections of the FDA submission.
Mesna Injection is indicated as a prophylactic agent in reducing the incidence of ifosfamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis
Limitation of Use:
Mesna Injection is not indicated to reduce the risk of hematuria due to other pathological conditions such as thrombocytopenia.
Mesna may be given on a fractionated dosing schedule of three bolus intravenous injections as outlined below.
Mesna injection is given as intravenous bolus injections in a dosage equal to 20% of the ifosfamide dosage weight by weight (w/w) at the time of ifosfamide administration and 4 and 8 hours after each dose of ifosfamide. The total daily dose of mesna is 60% of the ifosfamide dose. The recommended dosing schedule is outlined below in Table 1.
Table 1. Recommended Intravenous Dosing Schedule | |||
0 Hours | 4 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Ifosfamide | 1.2 g/m2 | - | - |
Mesna Injection1 | 240 mg/m2 | 240 mg/m2 | 240 mg/m2 |
1The dosing schedule should be repeated on each day that ifosfamide is administered. When the dosage of ifosfamide is increased or decreased, the ratio of mesna to ifosfamide should be maintained.
Maintain adequate hydration and sufficient urinary output, as required for ifosfamide treatment, and monitor urine for the presence of hematuria. If severe hematuria develops when mesna is given according to the recommended dosage schedule, dosage reductions or discontinuation of ifosfamide therapy may be required.
Preparation
Determine the volume of mesna injection for the intended dose.
Dilute the volume of mesna injection for the dose in any of the following fluids to obtain a final concentration of 20 mg/mL:
• 5% Dextrose Injection, USP
• 5% Dextrose and 0.2% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP
• 5% Dextrose and 0.33% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP
• 5% Dextrose and 0.45% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP
• 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP
• Lactated Ringer’s Injection, USP
Stability
The mesna injection multiple-dose vials may be stored and used for up to 8 days after initial puncture. Store diluted solutions at 25°C (77°F). Use diluted solutions within 24 hours.
Do not mix mesna injection with epirubicin, cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, carboplatin, and nitrogen mustard.
The benzyl alcohol contained in mesna injection vials can reduce the stability of ifosfamide. Ifosfamide and mesna may be mixed in the same bag provided the final concentration of ifosfamide does not exceed 50 mg/mL. Higher concentrations of ifosfamide may not be compatible with mesna and may reduce the stability of ifosfamide.
Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration whenever solution and container permit. Any solutions which are discolored, hazy, or contain visible particulate matter should not be used.
Mesna injection: 1 g Multiple-Dose Vial, 100 mg/mL
Mesna is contraindicated in patients known to be hypersensitive to mesna or to any of the excipients [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1 )].
Mesna may cause systemic hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis. These reactions may include fever, cardiovascular symptoms (hypotension, tachycardia), acute renal impairment, hypoxia, respiratory distress, urticaria, angioedema, laboratory signs of disseminated intravascular coagulation, hematological abnormalities, increased liver enzymes, nausea, vomiting, arthralgia, and myalgia. These reactions may occur with the first exposure or after several months of exposure. Monitor for signs or symptoms. Discontinue mesna and provide supportive care.
Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms and bullous and ulcerative skin and mucosal reactions, consistent with Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis have occurred. Mesna may cause skin and mucosal reactions characterized by urticaria, rash, erythema, pruritus, burning sensation, angioedema, periorbital edema, flushing and stomatitis. These reactions may occur with the first exposure or after several months of exposure. Discontinue mesna and provide supportive care.
Serious adverse reactions including fatal reactions and the “gasping syndrome” occurred in premature neonates and low-birth weight infants who received benzyl alcohol dosages of 99 to 234 mg/kg/day (blood levels of benzyl alcohol were 0.61 to 1.378 mmol/L). Symptoms associated with “gasping syndrome” and other potential adverse reactions include gradual neurological deterioration, seizures, intracranial hemorrhage, hematological abnormalities, skin breakdown, hepatic and renal failure, hypotension, bradycardia, and cardiovascular collapse. Premature neonates and low-birth weight infants may be more likely to develop these reactions because they may be less able to metabolize benzyl alcohol. The minimum amount of benzyl alcohol at which toxicity may occur is not known. Mesna injection contains 10.4 mg/mL of the preservative benzyl alcohol. Avoid use of mesna injection in premature neonates and low-birth weight infants [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4)].
False-Positive Urine Tests for Ketone Bodies
A false positive test for urinary ketones may arise in patients treated with mesna when using nitroprusside sodium-based urine tests (including dipstick tests). The addition of glacial acetic acid can be used to differentiate between a false positive result (cherry-red color that fades) and a true positive result (red-violet color that intensifies).
False-Negative Tests for Enzymatic CPK Activity
Mesna may interfere with enzymatic creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) activity tests that use a thiol compound (e.g., N-acetylcysteine) for CPK reactiviation. This may result in a falsely low CPK level.
False-Positive Tests for Ascorbic Acid
Mesna may cause false-positive reactions in Tillman’s reagent-based urine screening tests for ascorbic acid.
Mesna is a thiol compound, i.e., a sulfhydryl (SH) group-containing organic compound. Hypersensitivity reactions to mesna and to amifostine, another thiol compound, have been reported. It is not clear whether patients who experienced an adverse reaction to a thiol compound are at increased risk for a hypersensitivity reaction to mesna.
The following are discussed in more detail in other sections of the labeling.
• Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]
• Dermatological Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]
• Benzyl Alcohol Toxicity[see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)]
• Laboratory Test Interferences [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)]
• Use in Patients with a History of Adverse Reactions to Thiol Compounds [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)]
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
Mesna adverse reaction data are available from four Phase 1 studies in which single intravenous doses of 600-1200 mg mesna Injection without concurrent chemotherapy were administered to a total of 53 healthy volunteers. The most frequently reported side effects (observed in two or more healthy volunteers) for healthy volunteers receiving single doses of mesna Injection alone were headache, injection site reactions, flushing, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, somnolence, diarrhea, anorexia, fever, pharyngitis, hyperesthesia, influenza-like symptoms, and coughing. In addition, constipation was reported by healthy volunteers who had received repeated doses of intravenous mesna.
Additional adverse reactions in healthy volunteers receiving mesna alone included injection site reactions, abdominal pain/colic, epigastric pain/burning, mucosal irritation, lightheadedness, back pain, arthralgia, myalgia, conjunctivitis, nasal congestion, rigors, paresthesia, photophobia, fatigue, lymphadenopathy, extremity pain, malaise, chest pain, dysuria, pleuritic pain, dry mouth, dyspnea, and hyperhidrosis. In healthy volunteers, mesna was commonly associated with a rapid (within 24 hours) decrease in lymphocyte count, which was generally reversible within one week of administration.
Because mesna is used in combination with ifosfamide or ifosfamide-containing chemotherapy regimens, it is difficult to distinguish the adverse reactions which may be due to mesna from those caused by the concomitantly administered cytotoxic agents.
Adverse reactions reasonably associated with mesna administered intravenously in four controlled studies in which patients received ifosfamide or ifosfamide-containing regimens are presented in Table 3.
Table 3: Adverse Reactions in ≥5% of Patients Receiving Mesna in combination with Ifosfamide-containing Regimens | |
Mesna Regimen | Intravenous-Intravenous-Intravenous1 |
N exposed | 119 (100%) |
Incidence of AEs | 101 (84.9%) |
Nausea | 65 (54.6) |
Vomiting | 35 (29.4) |
Constipation | 28 (23.5) |
Leukopenia | 25 (21) |
Fatigue | 24 (20.2) |
Fever | 24 (20.2) |
Anorexia | 21 (17.6) |
Thrombocytopenia | 21 (17.6) |
Anemia | 20 (16.8) |
Granulocytopenia | 16 (13.4) |
Asthenia | 15 (12.6) |
Abdominal Pain | 14 (11.8) |
Alopecia | 12 (10.1) |
Dyspnea | 11 (9.2) |
Chest Pain | 10 (8.4) |
Hypokalemia | 10 (8.4) |
Diarrhea | 9 (7.6) |
Dizziness | 9 (7.6) |
Headache | 9 (7.6) |
Pain | 9 (7.6) |
Sweating Increased | 9 (7.6) |
Back Pain | 8 (6.7) |
Hematuria | 8 (6.7) |
Injection Site Reaction | 8 (6.7) |
Edema | 8 (6.7) |
Edema Peripheral | 8 (6.7) |
Somnolence | 8 (6.7) |
Anxiety | 7 (5.9) |
Confusion | 7 (5.9) |
Face Edema | 6 (5) |
Insomnia | 6 (5) |
Coughing | 5 (4.2) |
Dyspepsia | 4 (3.4) |
Hypotension | 4 (3.4) |
Pallor | 4 (3.4) |
Dehydration | 3 (2.5) |
Pneumonia | 2 (1.7) |
Tachycardia | 1 (0.8) |
Flushing | 1 (0.8) |
1Intravenous dosing of ifosfamide and mesna followed by intravenous doses of mesna according to the applicable dosage schedule. [see Dosage and Administration (2)].
The following adverse reactions have been reported in the postmarketing experience of patients receiving mesna in combination with ifosfamide or similar drugs, making it difficult to distinguish the adverse reactions which may be due to mesna from those caused by the concomitantly administered cytotoxic agents. Because these reactions are reported from a population of unknown size, precise estimates of frequency cannot be made.
Cardiovascular: Hypertension
Gastrointestinal: Dysgeusia
Hepatobiliary: Hepatitis
Nervous System: Convulsion
Respiratory: Hemoptysis
No clinical drug interaction studies have been conducted with mesna.
Risk Summary
Mesna is used in combination with ifosfamide or other cytotoxic agents. Ifosfamide can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Refer to the ifosfamide prescribing information for more information on use during pregnancy.
Mesna injection contains the preservative benzyl alcohol. Because benzyl alcohol is rapidly metabolized by a pregnant woman, benzyl alcohol exposure in the fetus is unlikely [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) and Use in Specific Populations (8.4)].
The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations are unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively.
Data
Animal Data
Mesna is used in combination with ifosfamide or other cytotoxic agents. Ifosfamide can cause fetal harm including embryo-fetal lethality. Refer to the ifosfamide prescribing information for more information on use during pregnancy.
In embryo-fetal development studies, oral administration of mesna to pregnant rats (500, 1000, 1500, and 2000 mg/kg) and rabbits (500 and 1000 mg/kg) during the period of organogenesis revealed no adverse developmental outcomes at doses approximately 10 times the maximum recommended total daily human equivalent dose based on body surface area.
Risk Summary
Mesna is used in combination with ifosfamide or other cytotoxic agents. Ifosfamide is excreted in breast milk. Refer to the ifosfamide prescribing information for more information on use during lactation. There are no data on the presence of mesna in human or animal milk, the effect on the breastfed child, or the effect on milk production.
Mesna injection contains the preservative benzyl alcohol. Because benzyl alcohol is rapidly metabolized by a lactating woman, benzyl alcohol exposure in the breastfed infant is unlikely. However, adverse reactions have occurred in premature neonates and low birth weight infants who received intravenously administered benzyl alcohol-containing drugs [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) and Use in Specific Populations (8.4)].
Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in a breastfed child, advise lactating women not to breastfeed during treatment and for 1 week after the last dose of mesna or ifosfamide.
Mesna is used in combination with ifosfamide or other cytotoxic agents. Ifosfamide can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Refer to the ifosfamide prescribing information for more information on contraception and effects on fertility.
Pregnancy Testing
Verify the pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential prior to initiation of mesna in combination with ifosfamide.
Contraception
Females
Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with mesna in combination with ifosfamide and for 6 months after the last dose.
Males
Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with mesna in combination with ifosfamide and for 3 months after the last dose.
Mesna Injection contains the preservative benzyl alcohol which has been associated with serious adverse reactions and death when administered intravenously to premature neonates and low birth weight infants. Avoid use of mesna injection in premature neonates and low-birth weight infants [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].
Clinical studies of mesna did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy. The ratio of ifosfamide to mesna should remain unchanged.
No clinical studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of renal impairment on the pharmacokinetics of mesna.
No clinical studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics of mesna.
There is no known antidote for mesna.
In a clinical trial, 11 patients received intravenous mesna 10 mg/kg to 66 mg/kg per day for 3 to 5 days. Patients also received ifosfamide or cyclophosphamide. Adverse reactions included nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and fever. An increased rate of these adverse reactions has also been found in oxazaphosphorine-treated patients receiving ≥80 mg mesna per kg per day intravenously compared with patients receiving lower doses or hydration treatment only.
Postmarketing, administration of 4.5 g to 6.9 g of mesna resulted in hypersensitivity reactions including mild hypotension, shortness of breath, asthma exacerbation, rash, and flushing.
Mesna is a detoxifying agent to inhibit the hemorrhagic cystitis induced by ifosfamide. The active ingredient, mesna, is a synthetic sulfhydryl compound designated as sodium-2-mercaptoethane sulfonate with a molecular formula of C2H5NaO3S2 and a molecular weight of 164.18. Its structural formula is as follows:
HS–CH2–CH2SO3–Na+
Mesna injection is a sterile, nonpyrogenic, aqueous solution of clear and colorless appearance in clear glass Multiple-Dose vials for intravenous administration. Mesna injection contains 100 mg/mL mesna, 0.25 mg/mL edetate disodium and sodium hydroxide for pH adjustment. Mesna Injection Multiple-Dose vials also contain 10.4 mg/mL of benzyl alcohol as a preservative. The solution has a pH range of 6.5 to 7.3.
Mesna reacts chemically with the urotoxic ifosfamide metabolites, acrolein and 4-hydroxy-ifosfamide, resulting in their detoxification. The first step in the detoxification process is the binding of mesna to 4-hydroxy ifosfamide forming a non-urotoxic 4-sulfoethylthioifosfamide. Mesna also binds to the double bonds of acrolein and to other urotoxic metabolites and inhibits their effects on the bladder.
Distribution
Mean apparent volume of distribution (Vd) for mesna is 0.652 ± 0.242 L/kg after intravenous administration which suggests distribution to total body water (plasma, extracellular fluid, and intracellular water).
Metabolism
Analogous to the physiological cysteine-cystine system, mesna is rapidly oxidized to its major metabolite, mesna disulfide (dimesna). Plasma concentrations of mesna exceed those of dimesna after intravenous administration.
Excretion
Following intravenous administration of a single 800 mg dose, approximately 32% and 33% of the administered dose was eliminated in the urine in 24 hours as mesna and dimesna, respectively. Mean plasma elimination half-lives of mesna and dimesna are 0.36 hours and 1.17 hours, respectively. Mesna has a plasma clearance of 1.23 L/h/kg.
No long-term studies in animals have been performed to evaluate the carcinogenic potential of mesna.
Mesna was not genotoxic in the in vitro Ames bacterial mutagenicity assay, the in vitro mammalian lymphocyte chromosomal aberration assay or the in vivo mouse micronucleus assay.
No studies on male or female fertility were conducted. No signs of male or female reproductive organ toxicity were seen in 6-month oral rat studies (≤2000 mg/kg/day) or 29-week oral dog studies (520 mg/kg/day) at doses approximately 10-fold higher than the maximum recommended human dose on a body surface area basis.
Hemorrhagic cystitis produced by ifosfamide is dose dependent (Table 4). At a dose of 1.2 g/m2 ifosfamide administered daily for 5 days, 16 to 26% of the patients who received conventional uroprophylaxis (high fluid intake, alkalinization of the urine, and the administration of diuretics) developed hematuria (>50 RBC per hpf or macrohematuria) (Studies 1, 2, and 3). In contrast, none of the patients who received mesna injection together with this dose of ifosfamide developed hematuria (Studies 3 and 4). In two randomized studies, (Studies 5 and 6), higher doses of ifosfamide, from 2 g/m2 to 4 g/m2 administered for 3 to 5 days, produced hematuria in 31 to 100% of the patients. When mesna was administered together with these doses of ifosfamide, the incidence of hematuria was less than 7%.
Table 4. Percent of mesna Patients Developing Hematuria (≥50 RBC/hpf or macrohematuria) | ||
Study | Conventional Uroprophylaxis (number of patients) | Standard Mesna Intravenous Regimen (number of patients) |
Uncontrolled Studies* | ||
Study 1 | 16% (7/44) | - |
Study 2 | 26% (11/43) | - |
Study 3 | 18% (7/38) | 0% (0/21) |
Study 4 | - | 0% (0/32) |
Controlled Studies† | ||
Study 5 | 31% (14/46) | 6% (3/46) |
Study 6 | 100% (7/7) | 0% (0/8) |
*Ifosfamide dose 1.2 g/m2 d x 5 †Ifosfamide dose 2 g/m2 to 4 g/m2 d x 3 to 5 | ||
Mesna Injection is available as follows:
NDC 0143-9260-01 1 gram; 10 mL Multiple-Dose Vial, individually boxed.
Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) [see USP for Controlled Room Temperature].
If mesna is co-administered with ifosfamide, refer to the ifosfamide prescribing information for safe handling instructions.
See FDA-approved patient labeling (Patient Information).
Hypersensitivity
Hemorrhagic Cystitis
Dermatologic Toxicity
Benzyl Alcohol Toxicity
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity
Contraception
Lactation
Manufactured by:
HIKMA FARMACÊUTICA (PORTUGAL), S.A.
Estrada do Rio da Mó, 8, 8A e 8B – Fervença – 2705-906 Terrugem SNT, PORTUGAL
Distributed by:
Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.
Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
April 2023 PIN453-WES/2
Patient Information MESA (MESS-nah 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:
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 take mesna tablets or receive mesna injection by intravenous (IV) infusion 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 take or receive mesna, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
|
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.
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?
|
What are the possible side effects of mesna injection? Mesna may cause serious side effects, including: See “What is the most important information I should know about mesna injection?”
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. |
How should I store mesna injection?
Keep mesna injection and all medicines out of the reach of children. |
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. Manufactured by: HIKMA FARMACÊUTICA (PORTUGAL), S.A. Estrada do Rio da Mó, 8, 8A e 8B – Fervença – 2705-906 Terrugem SNT, PORTUGAL Distributed by: Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922 April 2023 PIN453-WES/2 This Patient Information has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. |
NDC 0143-9260-01
Rx only
Mesna Injection
1 g/10 mL
(100 mg/mL)
FOR INTRAVENOUS USE
10 mL Mutliple-Dose Vial
Unit Label (Mesna Injection 1)
NDC 0143-9260-01
Rx only
Mesna Injection
1 g/10 mL
(100 mg/mL)
FOR INTRAVENOUS USE
10 mL Mutliple-Dose Vial carton
Carton (Mesna Injection 2)
Carton Label Serialization Image (Mesna Injection 3)
* Please review the disclaimer below.
