Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) Vaccine

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

When used for bladder cancer, the medicine flows into the bladder through a tube or catheter. Avoid drinking liquids for 4 hours before your treatment. You must empty your bladder before treatment. For the first hour after the medication is infused, you will lie on your stomach, on your back, and on your side for 15 minutes each. Then it will stop, but you must keep the medicine in your bladder for another hour. If you cannot keep the medicine in your bladder for the full 2 ​​hours, tell your healthcare provider. After 2 hours, you will empty your bladder in a sitting position for safety reasons. Your urine should be disinfected for 6 hours after administering the medication. Pour a similar amount of undiluted bleach down the toilet after urinating. Let stand for 15 minutes before rinsing.

Various dosing schedules can be used. Your doctor will schedule your treatment. Ask your doctor to explain any addresses you do not understand.

When the vaccine is given to protect against TB, it is usually given only once, but can be repeated if there is no good response within 2-3 months. Response is measured by a TB skin test.

Before receiving BCG vaccine,

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to BCG vaccine or any other medications.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and over-the-counter medications you are taking, especially antibiotics, cancer chemotherapy, steroids, tuberculosis medications, and vitamins.
• Tell your doctor if you have recently been vaccinated against smallpox or if you have had a positive TB test.
• Tell your doctor if you have an immune disorder, cancer, fever, infection, or a severe burn area on your body.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking the BCG vaccine, call your doctor immediately.

BCG vaccine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• swollen lymph nodes
• small red areas at the site of injection. (These usually appear 10-14 days after injection and slowly decrease in size. They should disappear after about 6 months.)
• fever
• blood in the urine
• frequent or painful urination
• upset stomach
• vomiting

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• severe skin rash
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• wheezing

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim collapsed, had a seizure, is having trouble breathing, or cannot wake up, call 911 immediately.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory.