BCG Intravesical Live

BCG Intravesical Live is a prescription medication used as an immunotherapy for bladder cancer. 

• BCG Intravesical Live is available under various brand names: Tice BCG

Common side effects of BCG Intravesical Live include:

• increased urination,
• painful urination,
• fever, and
• flu symptoms.

Serious side effects of BCG Intravesical Live include:

• hives,
• difficulty breathing,
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat,
• fever,
• chills,
• aches,
• weakness,
• flu-like symptoms,
• cough,
• pain or burning when urinating,
• a weak stream of urine,
• trouble emptying the bladder,
• blood in the urine,
• dark-colored urine,
• vomiting,
• upper stomach pain,
• yellowing of the skin or eyes,
• not feeling well, and
• burning, itching, odor, discharge, pain, tenderness, redness, or swelling of the genital or rectal area,

Rare side effects of BCG Intravesical Live include:

• none

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors;
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms include fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult dosage

Intravesical solution

• 1-8 x 10 & sup8; CFU/vial

Carcinoma in Situ (CIS) of the Urinary Bladder

Adult dosage

• Tice BCG: 1 vial of Tice BCG suspended in preservative-free saline 50 mL instilled into the bladder by gravity flow via catheter; agent should be retained in bladder 2 hr and then voided dose of 500 mg/day may be required in severe diabetes; should avoid doses above 750 mg/day

Papillary Tumors

Adult dosage

• Tice BCG: 1 vial of Tice BCG suspended in preservative-free saline 50 mL instilled into the bladder by gravity flow via catheter; agent should be retained in bladder 2 hr and then voided

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• BCG Intravesical Live has severe interactions with the following drugs:
  • ceftaroline
  • certolizumab pegol
• BCG Intravesical Live has serious interactions with the following drugs:
  • beclomethasone, inhaled
  • bedaquiline
  • cabazitaxel
  • hydroxyurea
  • imipenem/cilastatin
  • imipenem/cilastatin/relebactam
  • methotrexate
  • ocrelizumab
  • rifaximin
• BCG Intravesical Live has moderate interactions with the following drugs:
  • ponesimod
  • siponimod
• BCG Intravesical Live has minor interactions with no other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your healthcare professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• Immunosuppression (any cause), febrile illness, active tuberculosis
• Perforated bladder mucosa

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using BCG Intravesical Live?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using BCG Intravesical Live?”

Cautions

• May cause tuberculin sensitivity

Pregnancy & Lactation

• Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks during pregnancy
• Lactation
  • Excretion in milk unknown/not recommended