BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) Vaccine 

Generic Name:  BCG Live (Intravesical) (BCG) 
Brand Name:  Examples include TheraCys and Tice BCG 

BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) Vaccine contains live bacteria. It must  be prepared, handled, and disposed  of as biohazard material. Serious infections have been reported by health care providers after accidental needle sticks during preparation and handling of BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) Vaccine. Patients with weakened immune systems have become infected when their injection medicines are prepared in the same area as BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) Vaccine. Serious, sometimes fatal, infections have  also occurred in patients receiving BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) Vaccine through a catheter. 

BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) Vaccine is  used for: 

Treating cancer of the bladder. 

BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) Vaccine is a strain of bacteria. How it works is not fully known. It is thought  to stimulate the immune system. 

Do NOT use BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) Vaccine if: 

• you are allergic to any ingredient in BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) Vaccine 
• you have a history of sepsis, urinary tract infections  or a large amount of blood in the urine, or HIV- or AIDS-related conditions 
• you are receiving cancer therapy (eg, cytotoxic medicines, radiation therapy) or are taking medicines that suppress the immune system (eg, corticosteroids eg, hydrocortisone) 
• you have active tuberculosis (TB) 

Contact  your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you. 

Before using BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) Vaccine: 

• Some medical conditions may interact with BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) Vaccine. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you: 
• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding 
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement 
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances 
• if you recently had urinary tract surgery  or a you have a weakened immune system 

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) Vaccine. Tell your  health care provider if  you are taking any other medicines, especially any of  the following: 

• Cancer therapy (eg, cytotoxic medicines, radiation therapy) or corticosteroids (eg, hydrocortisone) because  the risk of serious, life-threatening infections is increased 

This may not be  a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask  your health care provider if BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) Vaccine may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with  your health care provider  before you start, stop, or change  the dose of any medicine. 

How to use BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) Vaccine: 

Use this medicine as directed by your doctor. Check  the label  on the medicine  for exact dosing instructions. 

• BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) Vaccine is usually administered by catheter through the urinary tract at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If  you will be using BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) Vaccine at home, a health care provider will teach  you how to use it. Be sure you understand how to use BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) Vaccine. Follow  the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact  your health care provider if  you have any questions. 
• Fluid intake should be increased in order to "flush"  the bladder in the hours following treatment with BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) Vaccine. Ask  your doctor or pharmacist  for instructions. 
• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of  the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask  your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal. 
• After  you receive BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) Vaccine, lay on  your back, front, and each side for 15 minutes each while retaining the solution  in your bladder. You may then stand up, but try to retain the solution  for another 60 minutes before emptying your bladder. After retaining the solution for 2 hours, all patients  should sit down to urinate. 
• Dilute all urine  for up to  6 hours after receiving BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) Vaccine with an equal  amount of household bleach. Wait  15 minutes before flushing.
• If you miss a dose of BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) Vaccine, contact  your doctor right away. 

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) Vaccine. 

Important safety information: 

• BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) Vaccine may lower your resistance to infection. Prevent infection by avoiding contact with people who have an infection. Do not touch your eyes or  the inside of your nose unless you have thoroughly washed your hands first. 
• The use of birth control  is recommended while you or your sexual partner is using this medicine. Do  not become pregnant while using BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) Vaccine. 
• BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) Vaccine  should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness  in children have not been confirmed. 
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact  your doctor. You will need to discuss  the benefits and risks of using BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) Vaccine while you are pregnant. It  is not known if BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) Vaccine is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) Vaccine. 

Possible side effects of BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) Vaccine: 

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome: 

Diarrhea; increased pain or frequency of urination; loss of appetite; nausea; stomach pain. 

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur: 

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blood in urine; burning or pain when urinating; chills; cough; fever; flu-like symptoms; frequent or urgent urination; general feeling of discomfort; joint pain; tiredness; vomiting. 

This is not a complete list of  all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact  your health care provider. Call your  doctor for medical advice about side effects. 

If OVERDOSE is suspected:   emergency room immediately. 

Proper storage of  BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) Vaccine: 

BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) Vaccine is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) Vaccine at home, store BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) Vaccine as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) Vaccine out of the reach of children and away from pets. 

General information: 

• If you have any questions about  BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) Vaccine, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider. 
• BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) Vaccine is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people. 
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor. 

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) Vaccine. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider. 

Notes: DrJMinor

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EditText of this page (last edited December 12, 2009)